Top 10 players with most assists in International Football

These players have been prolific in their national teams.

Football has many important aspects that make the base of the game. Scoring goals is important to win the game but making them is just as vital and is not a cup of tea. Players who make the goals are called playmakers and their impact on the game has sound and logical reasoning. Assists are widely regarded as a good metric for the creativity and effectiveness of a player in the final third.

A direct goal contribution, in terms of either goals or assists, has never been afforded as much importance as it has nowadays. These players who set up the goals are hard done most of the time as much of the plaudits go to the finisher. But over the years we have witnessed some nail-biting passes and assists. Here’s a look at the top 10 players with the most assists in International football:

10. Cesc Fabregas (Spain, 36 Assists)

This prolific man is surely one of the most unrecognized warriors in the history of football. His specificity and vision was a key figure in the triumph of the Spanish armada in the EURO 2008, 2012 and 2010 FIFA World Cup. Fabregas supplied the final pass for Andres Iniesta’s winning goal in the final. He currently plays for Como 1907 FC and has a total of 125  goals throughout his club career. He has made 218 assists in his name representing the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, AS Monaco and Arsenal.

9. Luis Suarez (Uruguay, 39 Assists)

His raw and unorthodox dribbling style is so distinctive and certainly not from the coaching manual. Having the ability to drop down the right wing or the left wing he was a key figure of the Uruguayan team when they made it to the Semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In the 2015-16 season, he became the first ever La Liga player ever to lead both the goal-scoring and assists charts in a single season. Nicknamed El Pistolero, he currently plays for Club Nacional De Football and has a total of 68 goals in 137 appearances for the La Celeste.

8. Mesut Ozil (Germany, 40 Assists)

He is inarguably one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era. This man possesses an unreal vision and is often seen playing defence-splitting passes that are inconceivable to many of his peers. Remember the German team from 2014 that bashed the Brazilians in their own background and humiliated them? He was the prime architect of that annihilation. Playing most of his club football at Arsenal, he has established himself as one of the greatest playmakers in German football history. He has a total of 40 assists in 92 appearances for the Die Mannschaft.

7. Thomas Muller (Germany, 40 Assists)

Thomas Müller has been called many things in his illustrious career to date, but only two words do him justice: world-class. He is neither a pure centre-forward nor second striker nor attacking midfielder nor winger - but a little bit of all four and much more besides. Although the 33-year-old makes and takes chances with alarming regularity. He has 269 goals and 282 assists in over 730 competitive appearances for club and country to be precise. It’s what he does off the ball, in the moments prior to the incoming pass or shot, that separates him from the others on the field.

6. Alexis Sanchez (Chile, 41 Assists)

The forgotten hero by a mile! Alexis is a part of the resurgence of the Chileans in their recent footballing history. Mostly playing as a central striker, Sanchez thrives when he is at the heart of the play. It is not enough for him to wait in the area, feeding off the work of others. He wants to create on and off the ball and that is why he has astounding stats throughout his career. The Olympique Marseille player has grabbed a total of 41 assists and 50 goals in 151 appearances for Chile.

5. David Beckham (England, 42 Assists)

The evergreen David Beckham is the brand ambassador of the quadrennial mega event going on in Qatar. His languid elegance made football look so easy during his playing days. David Beckham was more of a passer who would beat players through his movement and passing rather than a dribbling player. In a 20-year career, Beckham won 19 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and league titles in four countries (England, Spain, France and the United States), becoming the first British player to achieve such an accomplishment. Throughout his international career, he has had a total of 42 assists in 115 appearances for England.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, 43 Assists)

This man can do no wrong when it comes to numbers. Although Cristiano Ronaldo has likely played for the last time in the World Cup, he is considered by many the "best player in history". The highest-ever goal scorer in the history of the game with 819 goals. He has a mammoth 118 goals and 43 assists for Portugal. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner seems ageless and is gearing up for more competition in the upcoming days. Al-Nassr is preparing a humongous bid to get him onboarded in their club.

3. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, 46 Assists)

No surprise, is it? A midfielder with intricate sense and a keen eye for detail, he has been at the heart of all the attacking play for Belgium in recent years. One of the most creative players in the world at the moment. His career has been a topsy-turvy tide and revolved around a lot of controversies. But he leaves his heart out on the pitch and his work rate is immaculate. He moves the ball through traffic with ease and effectiveness and happens to be a great shooter. Throughout his international career, he has had 46 assists in his name in just 97 appearances.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina, 55 Assists)

Words fall short for this man every other time we try to describe him. With an exceptional passing ability and vision to find teammates in space with his precision passes, he likes to play with the ball and dictate the tempo of the game. Throughout his career, he has made a total of 1002 appearances and scored 791 times of which he assisted 55 times for the Albiceleste. He will have his date with destiny come 18th December 2022 against France in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the Lusail Stadium. Will it be another heartbreak or will his fans finally be able to rest his GOAT status?

1. Neymar (Brazil, 56 Assists)

“A normal athlete uses numerous neurons even when simply moving their foot, but Neymar uses his brain much more efficiently”- Naito explains. And we cannot agree more with it. Neymar has scored 100 goals for at least three different clubs, making him one of three players to achieve this. Under his leadership skills, Brazil has witnessed some sunshine but he is yet to deliver the ultimate prize for them all. Brazil was knocked out in the Quarterfinals of the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup by Croatia. In a total of 124 appearances for Brazil, he has equalled Pele’s international record of 77 goals. He currently has 56 assists as of now which makes him top our list.