Riyad Mahrez finished his Premier League career with 61 assists. As a result, he’s not among the players with the most assists in the 21st century.
Of course, he has now joined Al Ahli from Manchester City. At least, he won the UEFA Champions League trophy with Pep Guardiola’s men last campaign.
Frankly, the Algerian attacker is one of the most creative players in Europe’s top-5 leagues. However, he missed out on the list of players with the most assists in the 21st century.
Players with a high level of playmaking skills usually register assists. Because they have the ability to make things happen on the pitch.
Who are the playmakers?
A playmaker is considered a player with the ability to control the team’s tempo. He has the capacity to make things happen both defensively and offensively.
In other words, a playmaker leads attacks or maneuvers in such a way that a teammate can score. He usually puts his creativity into action.
Amazingly, playmakers are usually midfielders or attackers. A centre-back or fullback isn’t expected to be a playmaker because of his position on the pitch.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the players with the most assists in the 21st century. However, they have both left Europe.
The Portuguese magnifico joined Al Nassr in January in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the Argentine mastero left for Inter Miami in the United States of America.
Nevertheless, both Ballon D’or winners held many unbreakable records in Europe’s top-5 leagues. The Argentine has the most assists.
Who are the players with the most assists in the 21st century?
10. Cesc Fàbregas – 230 assists
Of course, the Spaniard’s playmaking prowess is second to none. At least, he played with many brilliant and talented players.
Cesc Fàbregas made some appearances for Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea. He usually adds to the team’s offensive performance.
The West London club haven’t able to replace the Spanish international since he left Stamford Bridge. They are hoping to see him as Enzo Fernández.
Regardless, Cesc Fàbregas is able to record 230 assists in all competitions in the 21st century. That shows his level of creativity as a midfielder.
9. Dušan Tadić – 234 assists
The Serbian international didn’t play for any top teams in Europe’s top-5 leagues. However, he made enough headlines in the world of football.
Dušan Tadić’s versatility as a player helps his football career. As a result, he’s registered 234 assists so far in the 21st century, because he’s playing.
The Serbian footballer played for Ajax, Southampton. And he’s currently playing for Fenerbahçe in Turkey.
Dušan Tadić has flawless playmaking skills. His sense of creativity usually finds ways for him on the pitch against the opposition.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo – 236 assists
Despite recently announcing that he’s not coming back to Europe. The Portuguese magnifico held many records in Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo has the ability to play several roles in the attack. However, he operates better from the right, causing havoc.
Even though he didn’t play from the midfield. The Portugal international registered 236 assists in the 21st century, making himself unstoppable.
Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo always focused on scoring goals. Nevertheless, he managed to be among the players with the most assists in the 21st century.
7. Mesut Özil – 240 assists
It’s obvious that the former German midfielder was indeed a playmaker. He played for Arsenal and Real Madrid in La Liga.
Mesut Özil was second to none during his time in Europe’s top-5 leagues. Of course, he has now retired from professional football.
The former Gunners playmaker managed to record 240 assists, six more than Cristiano Ronaldo. He was actually incomparable back then.
Mesut Özil has the ability to see the unseen spaces in the pitch. He usually puts his creativity into action, helping the team’s performance.
6. Thomas Müller – 244 assists
The 33-year-old Germany international is considered the most underrated playmaker in Europe. Meanwhile, he makes waves every season.
It’s unbelievable to see Thomas Müller above Cesc Fàbregas and Mesut Özil. He’s indeed a legend for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
The German magnifico registered 244 assists so far in the 21st century. Interestingly, he’s most likely to record more than 250 assists next season.
Thomas Müller knows the weaknesses of many teams in Europe’s top-5 leagues. His playmaking ability usually gives him an edge over his opponents.
5. Luis Suárez – 246 assists
Despite being a central-forward. The Uruguayan mastero has more assists than many attacking midfielders in Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Luis Suárez was on fire at Liverpool and Barcelona. Therefore, he registered most of his assists at these two European clubs.
Frankly, playing with Lionel Messi announced him very well at Barcelona. His playmaking skills are flawless; having watched him.
Luis Suárez managed to record 246 assists as a striker. Of course, not all central-forwards have the creativity to make key passes.
4. Neymar – 248 assists
In all fairness, the Brazilian wizard cannot be ignored, when it comes to playmaking skills. He has only played for Barcelona and PSG in Europe.
Meanwhile, Neymar is known for his ability to create goal-scoring chances. Amazingly, he does it with a whole lot of ease on the pitch.
Frankly, the Brazilian international is up there with Messi, De Bruyne, and others. He has the capacity to single-handedly help the team.
So far, so good in the 21st century, Neymar has registered 248 assists. Interestingly, he has enough years ahead of him to record more assists.
3. Ángel Di María – 260 assists
The Argentine winger has the ability to make the impossibles happen on the pitch. He’s still up and running in Europe, currently playing for Benfica.
Ángel Di María registered some assists for Juventus last campaign. His playmaking skills helped the Old Lady in their European competition.
The Argentine’s versatility allows him to play every available role in attack. As a result, he does switch positions on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Ángel Di María has registered 260 assists. Which means he’s 12 assists above Neymar, making headlines and waves in Eruope.
2. Kevin De Bruyne – 281 assists
The gap between the Belgian and Argentine masteros is amazing. The Belgian international remains incomparable in the Premier League.
At Manchester City, Pep Guardiola usually builds his team around Kevin De Bruyne. And he always delivers, helping the team’s performance.
Erling Haaland was able to break many goal-scoring records last season because of De Bruyne. His playmaking skills are excellent.
Despite playing for a few clubs in his career. Kevin De Bruyne has registered 281 assists so far in the 21st century, and he’s still counting.
1. Lionel Messi – 357 assists
The 2022 FIFA World Cup champion is miles ahead of De Bruyne. And he’s expected to hold the record for many years.
Despite not playing in Europe anymore. Lionel Messi has the most assists of any player in the 21st century, showing his playmaking skills.
The Argentine magnifico has only played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in his entire career. However, he’s currently at Inter Miami.
Amazingly, Messi has registered 357 assists this century. Of course, the gap between him and Kevin De Bruyne is wide.