Top 10 players with most chances created in World Cup history

The list contains some of the best playmakers of all time.

In football, the two most important attacking actions are assists and goals but over the years fans and many experts have tried to focus on the third pillar of attack i.e. chances created. A chance created is a pass which is crucial to a player who then assists an attempted goal chance. With assists, such chances are also crucial for an attack as it results in a goal when there’s a good chance created, a sufficient assist and a perfect shot.

The data is from World Cup 1966 onwards. The data is from Sofascore.com.

Let’s look at the top 10 players with the most chances created in world cup history

Michel Platini

Chances Created - 43

The French legend and three times Ballon D’or winner is 10th on the list with 43 chances created in his World Cup spell. He played in World Cup in 1978, 1982 and 1986. He came third with the national side in the World Cup 1986 in Mexico.

Thomas Muller

Chances Created - 45

The German second striker created 45 chances in his World Cup stint so far. He played in four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022). Muller has 10 World Cup goals to his name. And he won the Golden Boot in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. He lifted the World Cup trophy in 2014 beating Argentina, but since then they are eliminated in the Group Stage of the previous two World Cups.

Kazimierz Deyna

Chances Created - 47

He was part of the Polish golden generation which came third in the World Cup in 1974. Deyna created a total of 47 chances in two World Cups (1974, 1978) that he played in. He also scored four goals in World Cups.

Mesut Ozil

Chances Created - 48

The former Real Madrid and Arsenal playmaker have 48 chances to his name. He played in three World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018). He was an important part of the German squad in their triumphant run in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. The 34 years old announced his controversial retirement from international football with Germany after their disastrous exit in the Group Stage of the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

Kevin De Bruyne

Chances created - 48

The Belgian and Manchester City star has recorded 48 chances in three World Cups (2014, 2018 and 2022) that he played in. he has been part of the Belgium golden generation. Belgium was eliminated in the Group Stage of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Alain Giresse

Chances created - 48

A teammate of Michel Platini, Giresse has created 48 chances for the French national team. He played in the World Cup in 1978, 1982 and 1986. He is now the manager of the Kosovo international team.

Lothar Matthaus

Chances created - 49

The German legend has created 49 chances in his glorious World Cup period. The captain midfielder played in World Cup in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998. He was of the legendary German squad that went to three consecutive World Cup finals from 1982 to 1990, finally winning the trophy in 1990.

Wolfgang Overath

Chances created - 59

Another German in the long list of German greats, Overath has created 59 chances in three World Cups (1966, 1970, 1974). He won the World Cup trophy in 1974 on home soil after defeating the Johan Cruyff-led Netherlands.

Diego Maradona

Chances created - 67

The Argentine legend is considered the greatest footballer that has ever played the game by many fans and experts around the globe and the numbers speak for themselves for this man. He created a total of 67 chances during his World Cup career. Maradona played in four World Cups (1982,1986,1990 and 1994). He led as well as inspired his side to their second World Cup title in 1986. He also reached the finals of the World Cup in 1990 but was defeated by Lothar Matthaus-led Germany.

Lionel Messi

Chances created - 67

It seems odd if there’s a record and La Pulga is not on the list. The Argentine international has created 67 chances in five World Cups that he played in right from 2006. He is currently playing in the World Cup in Qatar and is very likely that he’ll go past Maradona’s record. He is in great form, and it looks like he is determined to win his first World Cup trophy.