Top five players with most assists in a single season ft. Bruno Fernandes & Lionel Messi

This list contains some of the best playmakers the sport has ever witnessed!

Since the beginning, goal scorers have been given top priority. The playmakers surely build up the momentum and help their sides gain a rhythm, but are not regarded as highly. Goals surely dominate the headlines in the world of football and the assists determine how the team play is defined in the sport.

Over the years their have been different and innovative ways of scoring goals, which have overshadowed the assists. But the art and the effort behind that playmaking is not easy. Being a No. 10 might look simple to some people on paper, but controlling the midfield under such a role is not an easy task.

Lionel Messi and even Kevin De Bruyne are regarded as one of the best playmakers who have excelled in the No. 10 role. Messi goes the extra mile and has come up with some good assists from the wings

Then some playmakers come up with some sensational plays from the wide areas. In the modern era, some prominent names under such a role are Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal and others.

A handful of the defensive midfielders have also shown their ability to create innovative plays. They are known as deep-lying players. Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Xabi Alonso, etc., are some prominent names under this role. Recently, Vitinha has been showing great potential in this position.

Five players with the most assists in a single league season (Europe’s top five leagues)

5. Bruno Fernandes

• Season: 2025-26
• Assists: 19*
• Club: Manchester United

The Portuguese midfield sensation is one of the most consistent players for Manchester United in recent years. He now has 19 assists* in 31 Premier League 2025-26 matches. Bruno Fernandes also surpassed David Beckham and became the player with the most assists in a single season of the EPL for the Red Devils.

Despite coming up with some sensational plays, he has also been scoring some important goals for his side. With four games left, Fernandes has a chance to become the player with the most assists in a single season.

4. Thierry Henry

• Season: 2002-03
• Assists: 20
• Club: Arsenal

Thierry Henry is considered one of the top players to ever play for the Gunners. He is the all-time top goal scorer for Arsenal, but despite that, the Frenchman is one of the stars with the most assists in a single season.

During the 2002-03 English Premier League campaign, Henry scored 24 goals and had 20 assists to his name in 37 matches. He is the player to play most games on the list.

3. Kevin De Bruyne

• Season: 2019-20
• Assists: 20
• Club: Manchester City

While the Belgian midfield sensation was at Manchester City, he came up with some sensational plays, which became a problem for the opponent’s defence. Kevin De Bruyne came up with 20 assists and scored 13 goals during the Premier League 2019-20 season.

Despite failing to secure the Ballon d’Or, he is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. De Bruyne knew how to come up with innovative plays and is capable of scoring goals as well, making him a great danger in the final third as well.

Also Read: Top eight players with most assists in a single Premier League season 

2. Lionel Messi

• Season: 2019-20
• Assists: 21
• Club: FC Barcelona

Regarded as one of the best players to ever play football, Lionel Messi has excelled both in the field of scoring goals and bagging assists. The Argentine great had 21 assists and scored 25 goals during the LaLiga 2019-20 campaign.

At FC Barcelona, Messi came out to be one of the top players out there and has been the only one to stand toe-to-toe with Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to consistency. The Argentine star has eight Ballon d’Ors to his name.

1. Thomas Müller

• Season: 2019-20
• Assists: 21
• Club: Bayern Munich

As of now, the Bayern Munich legend is the player with the most assists in a single season. Thomas Müller had 21 assists and scored eight goals during the 2019-20 Bundesliga campaign. He can play in multiple positions on the field. Müller is a midfielder and have also played as a forward on different occasions.

Even though this record by the German midfield sensation is one of a kind, it can be broken by Bruno Fernandes or Michael Olise during the ongoing 2025-26 campaign.

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