The art of playmaking in football is an often underappreciated yet vital aspect of the game. While goal scorers typically steal the spotlight, it’s the playmakers—the assist kings—who orchestrate the magic on the pitch, setting up those game-winning goals with precision and vision. Over the years, several players from around the globe have demonstrated exceptional ability in this area, racking up impressive assist tallies. Let’s take a look at the top assisters in world football for each year since 2010, highlighting some of the best playmakers the sport has ever seen.
2010 – Moubarak Boussoufa (25 assists)
In 2010, the Moroccan playmaker Moubarak Boussoufa led the world in assists. Playing for Anderlecht, Boussoufa’s creative genius was evident as he averaged an assist every 142 minutes. His ability to find his teammates in scoring positions, often with pinpoint accuracy, allowed him to narrowly edge out the likes of Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil for the top spot.
2011 – Lionel Messi (30 assists)
2011 was a year of dominance for Lionel Messi, who not only scored an astounding 55 goals but also led the world with 30 assists. Messi’s ability to balance his role as both a goal scorer and a playmaker was on full display as he helped Barcelona secure the UEFA Champions League title that year. His unmatched dribbling, vision, and passing accuracy made him an unstoppable force.
2012 – Eden Hazard & Franck Ribery (28 assists)
The top assist provider for 2012 was a tie between Eden Hazard and Franck Ribery, each with 28 assists. Hazard split his year between Lille and Chelsea, showcasing his exceptional dribbling and playmaking skills in both Ligue 1 and the Premier League. Ribery, on the other hand, was a creative maestro for Bayern Munich, consistently setting up goals for his teammates and playing a crucial role in their successes.
2013 – Mesut Ozil & Valentin Stocker (25 assists)
Mesut Ozil finally claimed his place at the top of the assist charts in 2013, a year where he showcased his peak form with 25 assists, split between Real Madrid and Arsenal. Ozil’s vision and precision in delivering the final ball were unmatched during this period. Valentin Stocker, who matched Ozil’s tally, was another standout, demonstrating his playmaking prowess with FC Basel.
2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo & Kevin Kampl (27 assists)
Known primarily for his goal-scoring exploits, Cristiano Ronaldo also demonstrated his versatility by topping the assist charts in 2014 with 27 assists. His ability to create as well as finish made him a dual threat on the pitch. Kevin Kampl, then at Red Bull Salzburg, also tallied 27 assists, showing his ability to dominate in the Austrian Bundesliga.
2015 – Kevin De Bruyne (28 assists)
Kevin De Bruyne’s rise to becoming one of the world’s best playmakers was cemented in 2015 when he led the world in assists with 28. His extraordinary vision, passing range, and ability to deliver accurate crosses made him a key figure for both Wolfsburg and Manchester City during that year.
2016 – Lionel Messi & Neymar (28 assists)
In 2016, Barcelona’s attacking trio of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez—often referred to as MSN—was in full swing. Messi and Neymar both racked up 28 assists, as they played a crucial role in one of the most prolific attacking units in football history. Their ability to link up with Suarez made Barcelona nearly impossible to defend against.
2017 – Neymar & Hulk (27 assists)
The year 2017 saw Neymar move to PSG for a world-record fee, and he quickly made an impact by leading the assist charts with 27, alongside fellow Brazilian Hulk, who was then dominating the Chinese Super League. Both players showcased their ability to not only score but also create chances for their teammates.
2018 – Zakaria Beglarishvili (28 assists)
In 2018, Zakaria Beglarishvili, a relatively lesser-known player, topped the assist charts with 28 assists while playing for Estonian side FC Flora. His impressive average of 0.67 assists per game put him ahead of more famous names like Messi and Suarez, proving that great playmaking can come from unexpected places.
2019 – Hakim Ziyech (34 assists)
Hakim Ziyech was the creative heartbeat of Ajax in 2019, a year where they captured the imagination of football fans worldwide with their thrilling performances in the Champions League. Ziyech’s 34 assists were the most of any player that year, underlining his status as one of the top playmakers in the world.
2020 – Lionel Messi (26 assists)
Even in his final full year at Barcelona, Lionel Messi continued to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the greatest of all time. With 26 assists in 2020, Messi once again topped the charts, proving his ability to create chances remained undiminished despite the challenges faced by his team.
2021 – Thomas Muller (32 assists)
Thomas Muller’s unique role as a Raumdeuter (space interpreter) came to the fore in 2021 when he led the world with 32 assists. Muller’s intelligence and ability to find space in the opponent’s defense allowed him to create numerous opportunities for Bayern Munich, solidifying his reputation as one of the best playmakers.
2022 – Maxime Lestienne (28 assists)
Maxime Lestienne, playing in the Singapore Premier League, emerged as the top assister in 2022 with 28 assists. His performances in Asia demonstrated that top-level playmaking is not confined to Europe’s major leagues. Lestienne’s vision and creativity made him a standout performer in his league.
2023 – Maxime Lestienne (32 assists)
Lestienne continued his impressive form into 2023, once again leading the world in assists with 32. His back-to-back top assist titles highlight his consistency and ability to perform at a high level year after year, making him one of the most underrated playmakers in world football.
2024 – Oscar & Denis Bouanga (18 assists so far)
As of 2024, former Chelsea star Oscar, now playing in the Chinese Super League, and LAFC winger Denis Bouanga are leading the assist charts with 18 each. Oscar’s continued success in China and Bouanga’s rise in MLS show the global nature of football, where top playmakers can emerge from any league around the world.