Lionel Messi
during his
Barcelona
Prime notably stands out among the 10 players with the highest number of assists in a single season since 2000. However, which other athletes complete this top 10 list?
The playmaker position has evolved into a refined role, with supporters placing significant emphasis on ‘assist statistics’ to identify the most inventive players. While some are inherently suited for this position, they often accumulate substantially more assists compared to goals, excelling at crafting plays both during set pieces and in open play as key architects within their teams.
Truly exceptional playmakers function in the space between the midfield and the attacking zone, exploiting gaps behind the defensive line where they can utilize their vision, agile footwork, and precise passing to set up teammates in ideal scoring situations.
With that in mind, we’ve decided to look at the top 10 campaigns in terms of assists in Europe’s top five leagues in the 21st century, counting assists from competitions in their country as well as European tournaments as well.
10. Mesut Özil – 2009-10 Season (25 appearances)
Mesut Özil appears multiple times on the list and stands out as one of the most naturally gifted playmakers to have graced football in the 2000s. Endowed with skill, an elegant playing style, and exceptional foresight, he was the quintessential offensive midfielder. This season, he recorded 29 assists across all competitions, including four during the Europa League qualification round.
Keeping the number 25, this impressive performance occurred during a season when he excelled atWerder Bremen. His efforts contributed significantly as his team secured third place in the Bundesliga, progressed tothe Round of 16in theEuropa League, and made it all the way to thefinalof theGerman Cup. Following this remarkable run, he promptly transferred toReal Madridthat same year.
9. Thomas Müller – 2019-20 (26)
At Bayern Munich, Thomas Müller might as well be regarded as an integral piece of their legacy by now. He is intricately linked with the team’s modern-day story and is approaching his 750th appearance for the club.
Throughout that period, he has emerged as a crucial offensive force, scoring almost as many goals as providing assists, and he ranks among the topassist providers in the annals of football.
In the 2019/20 campaign, the team managed to score from various parts of the field, with their striking force led by Robert Lewandowski, who seized every opportunity presented to him.
In Hansi Flick’s inaugural season, they secured the treble and dominated both the league and the Champions League, famously putting eight past Barcelona in the semifinal. At the center of this success stood Müller, who excelled brilliantly throughout.
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8. Lionel Messi – 2019-20 (27)
Lionel Messi appears thrice on this list, making his inclusion inevitable. A complete megastar, he can score goals and set up teammates effortlessly. In his most authentic role, however, he shines as a creator who generates opportunities for fellow players so seamlessly that playing alongside him would likely have been exhilarating for any forward.
During the 2019/20 campaign, he coached the team to only 27 wins across all competitions, resulting in them not securing any trophies—a rarity throughout his tenure with Barcelona. This outcome wasn’t due to him though; over just 44 matches, he achieved an impressive tally of 31 goals and 27 assists.
7. Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 2015-16 Season (28)
Maybe one of the most overlooked campaigns over the last twenty years, Henrikh Mkhitaryan astonished European soccer with his performance of scoring 23 goals and providing 32 assists across 52 matches for Borussia Dortmund under Thomas Tuchel.
The attacking trio consisting of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Marco Reus created significant chaos during the season when they secured second place in the league, reached the final in the cup, and yet surprisingly allowed Liverpool to stage an incredible come back after leading at Anfield.
During his most impressive season, Mkhitaryan recorded an astounding 28 assists across various competitions including the Bundesliga, Europa League, and German Cup. Following this success, he secured transfers to both Manchester United and Arsenal; however, these moves did not quite meet the high expectations set for him. Nonetheless, nobody can argue with the exceptional talent he displayed while playing in Germany.
6. Mesut Özil – 2010-11 Season (28)
During his debut season with Madrid, he became part of an exclusive team headed by Cristiano Ronaldo. As a result, he found himself providing assists not only to Ronaldo but also to teammates like Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuaín, receiving recognition for his contributions in return.
When Barcelona dominated the era, his efforts assisted them in clinching the Spanish Cup; nevertheless, they failed to secure victories in either the league or the Champions League against their arch-rivals, Barcelona. Throughout the season, Ozil displayed exceptional brilliance, with his tactical acumen becoming evident as he swiftly adjusted to the game.
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5. Kevin De Bruyne – Season 2014-15 (28)
Following his departure from Chelsea, Kevin De Bruyne was determined to show both the London club and Jose Mourinho they were mistaken. With players like Eden Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Andre Schurrle, and a budding Mohamed Salah ahead of him, he realized he needed to find another path for growth. At Wolfsburg, not only did he flourish but also surpassed expectations.
In his debut season, he managed to score 16 goals and provide 28 assists across 51 matches, helping them secure second place in the league, win the German Cup, but lose in the quarterfinals of the Europa League under coach Ralph Hasenhüttl. The next summer, he moved to Manchester City where he rapidly established himself among the top players in the Premier League. As they say, the rest is history.
4. Juan Mata – 2012-13 Season (30)
Back then, Juan Mata was regarded as one of the top attacking midfielders in the Premier League, with his performance during the 2012/13 season being particularly outstanding for him personally. During this period, he scored 20 goals and provided 30 assists in 64 matches as Chelsea participated in various tournaments.
Ultimately, they secured third place under Rafael Benítez, progressed to the semifinals in both domestic cup competitions, and finished as runners-up in both the Super Cup and Club World Cup. However, they emerged victorious in the Europa League during their inaugural participation in the tournament.
Mata’s late corner kick was powerfully headed home by Branislav Ivanovic to secure the victory, and he consistently showcased his dominance throughout the entire season.
3. Xavi – 2008-09 Season (31)
Referred to as the outstanding midfield maestro, Xavi was the central figure in both the dominant Spanish national team and FC Barcelona. However, few recognize just how reliably he set up goals for his fellow players during this period. It was also the notable year when Pep Guardiola assumed control, propelling the teams towards an impressive treble victory season.
Xavi was outstanding in midfield and crucial to his team’s new tactical approach, which would eventually revolutionize club soccer. He provided an assist during the Champions League final against Manchester United, helping to seal the victory.
A stunning cross from outside the box sliced through the United defense as Messi unleashed a rareheader to seal their win, with his precise assist at that moment perfectly illustrating his skill.
2. Lionel Messi – 2014-15 (31)
This was an iconic year for the Barcelona side as they went on to secure a famous treble, spearheaded by the incredible attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. That attack devastated almost every side as they picked up all the accolades, and Messi was at the centre of it all with 58 goals and 31 assists in 57 games.
His innovative skills contributed to Neymar scoring 39 goals, while Suarez scored 25 during his first season in Spain, with one notable goal being their team’s second in the Champions League final—a strike from Messi that rebounded off Gianluigi Buffon. It turned out to be one of the greatest players’ finest campaigns ever.
1. Lionel Messi – Season 2011-12 (32)
With each passing year, Messi’s performance during the 2011-12 season remains an ever-growing legend. Scoring 73 goals and providing 32 assists across merely 60 matches is nothing short of extraordinary. He went on to shatter the record for the highest number of goals scored within a single calendar year in 2012, amassing an astounding total of 91 goals.
During Guardiola’s final season leading the team, Barcelona secured victories in the UEFA Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, along with winning the Copa del Rey. However, despite Messi being at the pinnacle of his extraordinary abilities, they fell short in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Despite facing challenges, Messi led the league in assists by a significant margin and scored more goals than anyone else in club soccer that season, rendering this campaign nothing short of extraordinary and astonishing.
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TRY A QUIZ:
Could you list the top 25 players who have recorded the most assists in the history of the Champions League?