The list for the highest paid athlete from each sport in 2022 is revealed. Lionel Messi tops the list as the highest paid athlete overall in the world. We cover all the major sports to see who is the highest paid athlete in each of them.

1. Lionel Messi (Football):

Sport: Football

On-field earnings: $75 million

Off-field earnings: $55 million

Total Earnings: $130 million

Lionel Messi's $20 million-a-year partnership with Socios adds to an endorsement portfolio that includes Adidas, Budweiser and PepsiCo. He also became Hard Rock International's first athlete brand ambassador in a deal announced last June, helping Messi draw level with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo with his off-field earnings for the first time since 2013.

Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2021 as the world's best men's soccer player, but he has had a tougher time on the pitch more recently, scoring just nine goals in 32 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain after notching 38 in 47 games in his final season for Barcelona. But while PSG flamed out in the Champions League's Round of 16, the club captured the French Ligue 1 title in Messi's first season.

2. Lebron James (Basketball):

Sport: Basketball

On-field earnings: $41.2 million

Off-field earnings: $80 million

LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers missed the playoffs this season, but he's never been so dominant off the court. He starred in last year's Space Jam: A New Legacy and recently moved his talk show, The Shop, from HBO to YouTube. In October, he sold a significant minority stake in SpringHill—the production company behind both projects—at a valuation of about $725 million, pushing his net worth to $850 million, according to Forbes' estimates.

After announcing an endorsement deal with Crypto.com in January, James appeared in a Super Bowl commercial next to a computer-generated version of his younger self. He also recently invested in home gym company Tonal and StatusPRO, a sports tech startup that creates virtual reality training products.

Lebron James has his own signature shoes for basketball which is one of the best basketball shoes for every position especially guards. He works with collaboration with Nike.

3. Roger Federer (Tennis):

Sport: Tennis

On-field earnings: $700K

Off-field earnings: $ 90 million

Total Earnings: $90.7 million

Injuries limited Roger Federer to six tournaments in 2020 and 2021 combined, and he has yet to return to the tennis court in 2022. No matter—the world's former No. 1 player remains the top pitchman in sports, promoting brands such as Uniqlo and Rolex.

He also invested in the burgeoning Swiss shoe brand On in 2019, and the company went public in September, raising more than $600 million. "We work very closely together on product design," Federer told Forbes at the time, having spent 20 days in the lab with the On team developing the company's pro tennis shoe.

4. Canelo Alvares (Boxing):

Sport: Boxing

On-field earnings: $85 million

Off-field earnings: $5 million

Total Earnings: $90 million

Canelo Alvarez is boxing's top draw, earning $40 million or more from his two pay-per-view victories last May and November. (His loss to light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol on May 7, 2022, fell outside Forbes' tracking window for this list.)

Beyond the ring, Alvarez has a lucrative partnership with Hennessy and owns a taco restaurant in his native Mexico, with plans to expand to California. Alvarez said last year that he would be launching a chain of gas stations, and his Canelo Promotions is putting together a series of fights in Mexico in partnership with Matchroom Boxing and DAZN.

5. Tom Brady (American Football):

Sport: American Football

On-field earnings: $31.9 million

Off-field earnings: $52 million

Total earnings: $83.9 million

Tom Brady's retirement this off-season lasted less than six weeks, which was welcome news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he turned in a spectacular 2021 season at age 43. He's certainly learning some new tricks off the field.

Autograph, the NFT platform Brady cofounded last year, raised $170 million in a Series B funding round announced in January, and Religion of Sports, the production company he cofounded with Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and filmmaker Gotham Chopra, unveiled a content deal with Skydance Sports in March.

Meanwhile, his other production company, 199 Productions, is behind the upcoming road-trip movie 80 for Brady, and he has a new clothing line cleverly named BRADY. And when it is finally time to retire permanently from football, Brady already has his next lucrative gig lined up: a commentator role with Fox Sports. According to the New York Post, that deal is set to pay him more than he has earned on the field across 22 seasons in the NFL—$375 million over ten years.

These superstar in thir own right make this year's highest paid athlete from each sport in 2022.

Swiss tennis great Roger Federer wrote an emotional letter on the retirement of his close friend Rafael Nadal. Rafa, 22 Grand Slam winner, announced his retirement only last month at Davis Cup final in Málaga, Spain.

Also Read: Oldest Grand Slam Champion | Top 10 List

Federer, 43, who retired two years ago after winning 20 major titles, wrote, “As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional. Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge,” 

Federer recalled their first meeting

Federer and Nadal had the greatest rivalry in the history of the sport. They first faced each other in Miami in 2004, where the Spaniard defeated then world No. 1 Federer 6-3, 6-3 in the round of 32.

Recalling their first meeting, Federer said, “OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype."

Federer praised Nadal's skills on clay and thanked him for making him a better player. He wrote, “We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud… you made the whole tennis world proud."

The 'Fedal' rivalry

Notably, the 'Fedal' rivalry has seen some of the most spectacular tennis matches, including the Wimbledon 2008 final, in which Nadal defeated Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7. In total, they faced each other 40 times, with Nadal holding the head-to-head record 24–16.

“I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies." Federer added.

Also Read: Most Olympic Gold medals in Tennis history (Men's)

Nadal was on the same side on Federer's last match

In Federer's last professional tennis match, Rafael Nadal was on the same side of the court as the two paired up to play a doubles match at the Laver Cup in London in 2022. After the match, a photo of Federer and Nadal sitting on the bench, holding hands and crying, went viral on social media.

“And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career,”

Football is a sport full of drama, distress, excitement, and unforgettable moments that are cherished from generation to generation. Goals are the highlighting factor that decides the fate of a team and that is why the near-misses leave the fans in agony and sometimes change the course of football's history.

These fumbles in front of the goal are surprising and unexpected at the same moment. In this article, we delve into the most shocking misses in football history.

Erling Haaland 

(Manchester City vs Liverpool, 2022 FA Community Shield Final)

The Norwegian goal-machine emerged as an absolute cheat-code for Manchester City since his move to Man City in 2022. However, he came to England as and promising youngster but faced criticism from fans after his open goal miss in his very first match for Manchester City in the FA Community Shield Final on 30 July 2022 against Liverpool.

Phil Foden unleashed a left-footed strike in the seventh minute of injury time and it was denied by Liverpool keeper Adrian, but Erling Haaland wasted an open chance to score from the second ball as he hit the crossbar from a close range to the goal. Liverpool won the game by 3-1.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

(PSG vs Strasbourg, Ligue 1 2018-19)

The Cameroonian International featured for teams such as Bayern Munich and Paris-Saint Germain, and he was a part of the PSG squad who were runner-ups in the UCL 2019-20. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting also scored the winner in injury time against Atalanta in the quarter-final of the same UCL campaign.

😳 We're not exactly sure what Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was doing here⁉️ The @PSG_English man denied his own teammate and left the ball sitting on the goal line. pic.twitter.com/blFnaPoOQA

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 7, 2019

However, Choupo-Moting got down in history for a bizarre instance in a 2-2 draw against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 during his first season with the French side. Christopher Nkunku successfully chipped the opponent keeper with a shot that was about to go in, but Choupo-Moting somehow stopped the shot on the line in an attempt to tap it in, but his intervention led the threat to get cleared. 

Neal Maupay

(Brentford vs Cardiff City, EFL Championship 2017-18)

Neal Maupay, the French forward who spent most of his career in England, joined Brentford in 2017 and went on to be a headline for his incredible open-goal miss against Cardiff City in the 2017-18 EFL Championship. 

On this day in 2017... 🗓

Neal Maupay pulled off one of the WORST misses you’ll EVER see for Brentford 🤯
pic.twitter.com/xD1Pd87wPE

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) November 18, 2022

The golden opportunity emerged as Ollie Watkins won the possession in front of the box by beating Sean Morrison in a duel and he fooled the keeper to pass it to Maupay, who only had an open goal in front of him.

However, Maupay took some time to slot it home as defender Sol Bamba ran onto the goal-line to stop the shot. Surprisingly, Maupay did not let Bamba do anything as he fired it inches off the post. Brentford eventually lost the game by 0-2.

Cristiano Ronaldo

(Manchester United vs Sheffield United, Premier League 2006-07)

Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the greatest footballer ever, also finds himself on this unfortunate list. The dreaded Portuguese netted the most goals in football history, although his unbelievable miss came in his early days at Old Trafford. Ronaldo wasted this open-scoring chance during a Premier League game against Sheffield United in 2006.

Cristiano Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/qKDPSCU4Nz

— LSPN_FC (@LSPN__FC) November 11, 2024

A sublime backheel by Wayne Rooney opened a space in front of the box for the Red Devils as Ryan Giggs intercepted the pass before cutting a grounder through Sheffield's defence. The ball comfortably found Cristiano Ronaldo but his strike flew over the crossbar from a very close distance to the goal.

Lionel Messi 

(Argentina vs Trinidad and Tobago, Friendly, 2014)

Lionel Messi, the other footballer who is arguably considered the greatest footballer of all-time, has also entered this fateful list due to his unbelievable blunder for Argentina against Trinidad and Tobago on 4 June 2014, prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 

Angel Di Maria fired into the opponent box and released a comfortable pass before the ball could cross the goal-line, but Messi failed to respond quickly as the defender cleared the ball from in front of an open goal before even Messi could intercept.

Randal Kolo Muani

(France vs Argentina, 2022 FIFA World Cup Final)

This wasted scoring opportunity changed Argentina's football history as Argentina lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup by beating France in penalties, following an unnerving 3-3 draw after extra time. 

The 120-minute Final showcased a brilliant display of football ending in a 3-3 draw between France and Argentina, before going down to penalties to decide the world champion. However, France could have snatched the World Cup if Randal Kolo Muani was not denied by Emiliano Martinez in the last minute of the game.

The last minute save by Emi Martinez from Kolo Muani's shot will go down in the history as arguably the most clutch save in a World Cup Final and a very memorable for us Messi Fans. With that save I knew Messi was going to have a date with destiny. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/BtfArjcFIs

— Messiologist 🇦🇷🇪🇸 (@breathMessi23) February 11, 2023

A lobbed pass was intercepted by Kolo Muani in front of Argentina's box as Nicolas Otamendi failed to intercept, but Kolo Muani's first-touch attempt was denied by Argentina keeper Emiliano Martine who stretched his leg to stop the shot. Only 47 seconds were left before the final whistle! This miss will remain iconic for the heroic save by Emi rather than the blunder by Kolo Muani.

Fernando Torres 

(Chelsea vs Manchester United, Premier League 2011-12)

Fernando Torres was arguably the top striker in the world in and around 2007 to 2010. Chelsea broke the British transfer record to acquire the Spaniard from Liverpool in January 2011. Somehow, 'El Nino' failed to replicate his Liverpool performance at Stamford Bridge, and his disappointing tenure with the Blues was highlighted by a moment during a match against Manchester United in September 2011.

This Torres miss vs Man United, one of the biggest misses in prem history pic.twitter.com/B52St4Z6qM

— GreatMan (@UtdGreatt) February 27, 2024

Torres already scored the only goal for his team but Chelsea was behind 3-1. In the 83rd minute, Ramires played a beautiful through that cut the United defense open in half. Torres intercepted the ball and managed to ease past David de Gea with a skillful feint, having an open goal in front of him.

However, Torres surprisingly shot the ball wide of the post and missed the golden chance which went down as one of the worst misses in the Premier League history.

Yakubu Ayegbeni

(Nigeria vs South Korea, FIFA World Cup 2010)

Nigeria faced South Korea in a do-or-die match after two consecutive defeats in the Group stage of FIFA World Cup 2010, and Yakubu Ayegbeni crashed the headlines but not quite for the right reasons.

Like Yakubu Aiyegbeni Like Yakubu Mahmoud 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️pic.twitter.com/EleHzAGR6A

— ỌjịUgo™️🍫👁️‍🗨️ (@OjiUgo_nwa) October 10, 2023

Midfielder Yusuf Ayila delivered a ball right into the six-yard box where Ayegbeni received the pass, but he missed the absolute sitter from inches close to the goal. The match eventually ended in a 2-2 draw and Nigeria finished at the bottom of the group.

Ilija Sivonjic

(Dinamo Zagreb vs Cibalia Vinkovci, HNK 2006)

Croatian footballer Ilija Sivonjic's open miss in 2006 for Dinamo Zagreb against Cibalia is widely considered one of the worst misses in football history. 

Ilija Sivonjic pic.twitter.com/kVjs9VHkzY

— Football Hub (@FootbalIhub) November 8, 2024

In the 33rd minute of the game, one of his Dinamo teammates slotted the ball on target. Although it went past the opposition keeper, it was stopped by Sivonjic who attempted a backheel to tap it in. The ball inexplicably bounced off the goal line and one of the Cibalia defenders sent it out of play. 

Ronny Rosenthal

(Liverpool vs Aston Villa, 1996)

Ronny Rosenthal started his Liverpool career very well, scoring 7 goals in his first 8 games. He even scored a hat-trick in his first game against Charlton. However, he couldn't keep up this great form later.

Ronny Rosenthal with one of the worst misses of all time vs Aston Villa, 1992. pic.twitter.com/rOf0NRFVDI

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) January 27, 2021

In 1992 during Pool's PL encounter against Aston Villa, Rosenthal wasted a golden opportunity to score. Rosenthal intercepted a long ball from David James and dribbled past the goalkeeper, but misfired his left-footed strike to hit the crossbar. This miss is still remembered as one of the worst misses in Premier League history.

Rosenthal later joked about this famous miss and said:

"Does it bother me? No it doesn't matter now. I'm glad it happened!

"I'm glad I missed because I'm still on the map [because of it]."

via Birmingham Live

Various international women's football players have cemented themselves in history books by achieving remarkable records. At the forefront is Canada's Christine Sinclair, an iconic figure in women's football

This collection of players and their impressive accomplishments underscore the development of women's football and the extraordinary talent that has emerged within the sport over the years. Let’s take a closer look at these stellar performers

Read Also: Real Madrid's Top 5 most expensive signings of all time

Babra Bander: Zambia- 7 

From the streets of Lusaka to the global stage, Barbra Banda’s journey is a testament to determination and raw talent. Born in Zambia’s capital, Banda started playing football at the tender age of seven. But her early sporting prowess wasn’t confined to just football.

Inspired by renowned Zambian boxer Catherine Phiri, Banda also dabbled in boxing at 14, quickly making a name for herself. She dominated the amateur scene, and after winning every bout and seeing other fighters hesitant to face her, Banda turned professional, where she won all five of her matches. However, football eventually took center stage in her life.

In October 2018, Banda signed with Spain's first division club, EDF Logroño, becoming the first Zambian woman to play football in Europe. Her career continued to soar when, in March 2024, she joined the Orlando Pride in the United States, signing a four-year contract that would keep her with the club until 2027.

Her impact on the international stage began early. Banda played for Zambia’s U-17 women’s team at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, turning 14 during the tournament. Two years later, on March 6, 2016, she made her senior team debut in a Women’s Nations Cup qualifier against Namibia.

The peak of her career came at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Banda captained the Zambian national team as they made their debut appearance at the prestigious tournament. She became the first woman to score consecutive hat-tricks in Olympic history, netting three goals in a 3-10 loss to the Netherlands, she scored another three in a 4-4 draw against China. These performances also made her the first woman to score two hat-tricks in a single Olympic tournament.

Read Also: I didn't set a date or a deadline": Lionel Messi hints at retirement after hat-trick against BoliviaFIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far

Michelle Akers: United States of America- 7

🇺🇸 @MichelleAkers10
👕 No10 in 1999, 1995 and 1991

All-time #FIFAWWC record
Games: 13
Goals: 12 pic.twitter.com/XlnsSkLXAe

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 1, 2024

The name Michelle Akers is synonymous with U.S. women’s soccer dominance. With seven career hat-tricks, Akers helped the U.S. win the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup, leading the tournament with 10 goals, including five in a single game.

Her leading the team was crucial to the U.S. women's team securing its first-ever world title, and she later played a vital role in the 1999 World Cup and 1996 Olympics victories. 

Akers was also the lead scorer in the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in China in 1991. The U.S. women's team defeated Norway 2–1 in the final with Akers scoring both goals.

Ali Al-Biski: Libya - 7

Ali Al-Biski, a former Libyan footballer, played as a striker and holds the record as Libya's all-time top scorer despite the nation’s limited participation in FIFA events during his time. He led the Libyan Premier League in scoring twice—first in 1965 with Al-Madina SC, and again in 1968 with Al Ahli Tripoli. He recorded seven hat-tricks for the national team.

Pelé: Brazil - 7

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, famously known as Pelé, was a Brazilian forward and a football icon, widely hailed as one of the greatest players in history. With a Guinness World Record for 1,279 goals in 1,363 games (including friendlies), Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the IOC in 1999 and featured in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the 20th century. He debuted for Santos at 15 and for Brazil at 16, winning three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) and scoring seven hat-tricks for Brazil.

Sándor Kocsis: Hungary - 7

Sándor Kocsis, a Hungarian striker, played for Ferencvárosi TC, Budapest Honvéd, Young Fellows Zürich, and FC Barcelona. After relocating to Spain post-1956 Hungarian Revolution, Kocsis joined Barcelona’s squad. He led the 1954 World Cup with a record 11 goals, scoring 23 times for Hungary that year—a single-year record. Kocsis was also the first player to achieve two hat-tricks in a World Cup.

Cristiane: Brazil- 8

Brazilian forward Cristiane stands alongside the greats, boasting eight hat-tricks throughout her career. A prolific goal scorer, she played a key role in Brazil's silver medal triumphs at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Cristiane has participated in five FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympics, with her most recent hat-trick coming in Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Jamaica at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ali Daei: Iran - 8

Iranian striker and former national team captain, Ali Daei, was renowned as the world’s top scorer in official internationals per the IFFHS, netting 20 goals in 1996. During the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, he scored nine goals over 17 matches, amassing 38 goals in 52 appearances by that time. In 2004, he became the first male to score 100 international goals, reaching 102 with a four-goal game against Laos.

Gerd Müller: Germany - 8

Gerd Müller, a prolific German striker known for his precision in the penalty area, is considered one of football’s top scorers. With West Germany, he scored 68 goals in 62 games. For Bayern Munich, he scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches and 65 goals in 74 European games, holding a league scoring record. Müller’s eight hat-tricks include two in the 1970 World Cup.

Poul Nielsen: Denmark - 8

Danish striker Poul Nielsen scored 52 goals in 38 games, sharing Denmark’s top-scoring record. He earned a silver medal at the 1912 Olympics and led Kjøbenhavns Boldklub (KB) to six Danish championships. Scoring eight hat-tricks in international play, Nielsen was an iconic figure for Denmark until his death in 1962.

Abby Wambach: United States of America- 8

Mary Abigail Wambach, born on June 2, 1980, is a retired American soccer player, coach, and National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee. A six-time recipient of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, Wambach was a key player for the U.S. women’s national team from 2003 to 2015.

She earned her first international cap in 2001 and, as a forward, became the highest all-time goal scorer for the U.S. national team. Globally, she ranks second in international goals for both men and women with 184 goals, trailing only Canada's Christine Sinclair.

Wambach competed in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: the 2003 edition in the U.S., the 2007 event in China, the 2011 tournament in Germany, and the 2015 competition in Canada. She also represented the U.S. in the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympics.

Throughout these five major international tournaments, Wambach played 30 matches and netted 22 goals. She helped her team secure two Olympic gold medals, third-place finishes twice at the Women's World Cup, a second-place finish in 2011, and ultimately, a World Cup victory in 2015.

Read Also: FIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far

Carli Lloyd: United States of America- 9

Carli Lloyd is another legend of international football, having represented the U.S. from 2012 to 2021. Over her remarkable career, she earned two Olympic gold medals (in 2008 and 2012) and won two FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. In addition, she was named FIFA Player of the Year twice, in 2015 and 2016, and competed in four Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021).

Lloyd’s capacity for rising to the occasion was evident when she scored the decisive goals in the gold medal matches of both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. She was also instrumental in the U.S. clinching World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, she also secured a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She played in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the US finished as runners-up.

Ali Mabkhout: UAE - 9

Ali Mabkhout, a forward for Al Nasr and the UAE national team, debuted with Al Jazira in 2009. A pivotal figure in UAE’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal win over Australia, he became UAE’s top scorer on October 10, 2019, with a hat-trick against Indonesia in a 5-0 victory.

Sven Rydell: Sweden- 9

Swedish striker Sven Rydell scored 49 goals in 43 matches, a record that stood for over 80 years until broken by Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2014. Rydell’s international career included a bronze medal at the 1924 Olympics, and he holds the Swedish record of nine international hat-tricks.

Vivian Woodward: England - 10

Vivian Woodward, an English forward, starred from the early 1900s to World War I, playing for Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. As Great Britain’s captain, he won gold at the 1908 and 1912 Olympics, recording six hat-tricks for England amateurs and four for England’s national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal- 10

At the age of 18, Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal as a substitute against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003. At UEFA Euro 2004, he scored his first international goal in a 2–1 group stage loss to Greece in his eighth international appearance.

In 2016, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first-ever trophy at the UEFA Euro 2016, although he was subbed off in the 25th minute in the final against hosts France.He received the Silver Boot as the second-highest goalscorer.

In the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, in a 3–3 draw against Spain Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male player to score 10 hat-tricks for a national team on 12 October 2021 in Portugal's 5–0 win against Luxembourg, breaking Sven Rydell's record.

Lionel Messi:Argentina -10

Lionel Messi debuted for Argentina’s U20 team in 2004 and won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. His senior debut came in 2005 at 18. In 2021, he ended Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought with a Copa América win. On October 15, 2024, Messi scored his 10th international hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Bolivia.

Christine Sinclair: Canada- 11

Christine Margaret Sinclair is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). From 2000 until her international retirement in 2023, she was a key member of the Canadian national team. 

Sinclair is an Olympic gold medalist, two-time Olympic bronze medalist, CONCACAF champion, and has won the Canada Soccer Player of the Year award 14 times. She holds the world record for the most international goals scored by any player, male or female, with 190 goals and is among the most-capped players in international soccer, with 331 appearances.

In a career spanning more than two decades with the senior national team, Sinclair has competed in six FIFA Women's World Cups and four Olympic Football Tournaments, leading her team to bronze medals in 2012 and 2016, and to gold in 2020.

She is one of only three players to score in five different World Cup tournaments, alongside Marta and Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2022, Sinclair was honored with the Best FIFA Special Award for her achievement as the world’s top goal scorer.

Notably, Sinclair scored her eleventh international hat-trick during a 2012 Olympic match against the United States, netting all three of Canada’s goals in a 3–4 loss.

Read Also: Most valuable Spanish players in history: Yamal goes past Rodri

Alex Morgan: United States of America- 12 

Alexandra Patricia Morgan, born on July 2, 1989, is a retired American professional soccer player who last played as a striker for San Diego Wave FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), where she served as captain, as well as for the United States national team. She co-captained the U.S. national team with Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe from 2018 to 2020, and later with Lindsay Horan in 2023.

Morgan was the first overall pick in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash, where she made her professional debut and contributed to the team's league championship win. At 22, she was the youngest player on the U.S. national team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team finished as runner-up.

During the 2012 London Olympics, Morgan scored the decisive goal in the 123rd minute of the semi-final against Canada. She ended 2012 with 28 goals and 21 assists, becoming the second American woman, after Mia Hamm, to record 20 goals and 20 assists in a single year. This achievement made her the sixth and youngest U.S. player to reach 20 goals in one season. Morgan was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and became a FIFA World Player of the Year finalist.

She played a crucial role in the U.S. team's victories at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups, earning a spot on the Dream Team in both tournaments and winning the Silver Boot in 2019. Morgan recorded her eleventh international hat-trick with five goals on 11 June 2019 in the United States 13–0 victory over Thailand in the 2019 World

Her record-breaking twelfth international hat-trick came in 2021 against Paraguay in a game where the United States dominated and won 8-0

La Masia, FC Barcelona’s iconic youth academy, has produced some of football’s most legendary players and set the standard for talent development worldwide. Producing technically brilliant midfielders and unbelievable attackers. Here, we dive into the top 10 players who rose from Barcelona’s famed academy to rule the football world.

Read Also| LaLiga 2024-25 | Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona | El Clasico Preview, Head-to-head Stats, Possible Line-ups, and Where to watch 

Lionel Messi

Undoubtedly the greatest talent to emerge from Barcelona's youth academy and arguably the best to ever represent the club, Messi joined the La Liga giants in 2001 from Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys, where he had trained since he was six.

Recognizing his extraordinary potential, Barcelona committed to covering his medical treatment after he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first-team debut on 16 November 2003, entering the field in the 75th minute of a friendly match against José Mourinho's Porto.

His performance, which included creating two scoring opportunities and a shot on target, impressed the technical staff. Following this, he started training daily with Barcelona’s reserve team, Barcelona B and joined the first team for weekly sessions.

From 2008 to 2021, Messi achieved unprecedented success at Barcelona. He led the club to numerous titles, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, and 4 UEFA Champions League trophies.

His influence on the field was transformative, as he could play across various attacking positions, adapt to different tactical setups, and still deliver fantastic performances. Messi’s goal-scoring record during this time was astonishing; he became Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing legendary figures like César Rodríguez.

One of his most memorable achievements was scoring 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year, breaking the previous record set by Gerd Müller. Messi became the captain of Barcelona in 2018 and remained so till 2021.

Over his 18-year career with Barcelona’s senior team, he made 768 appearances the most in the club's history became their top goal scorer, and earned 7 Ballon d'Or awards.

Xavi Hernandez

Xavi celebrated as the greatest playmaker of his generation and a symbol of Barcelona’s tiki-taka passing style, joined La Masia at age 10. While initially inspired by Barcelona playmaker Pep Guardiola, he also grew up watching English football. Xavi made his La Liga debut on 3 October 1998 in Barcelona’s 3–1 victory over Valencia.

Starting with a mix of reserve and senior team appearances, his consistent performance soon earned him a spot as a key player in Louis van Gaal’s title-winning squad, ending his debut season with 26 appearances and the 1999 La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

Xavi assumed the role of Barcelona’s primary playmaker after Guardiola was injured in the 1999–2000 season. He was appointed vice-captain of Barcelona in the 2004–05 season, during which he played a crucial role in helping the team secure both La Liga and the 2004 Supercopa de España titles.

His influence on the field continued to grow, and by the 2008–09 season, Xavi was a central figure in Barcelona’s Champions League success. His exceptional playmaking in the 2009 Champions League Final, where Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2–0, earned him the title of "UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder" for his contributions.

Xavi’s influence extended to La Liga, where he was the top assist provider with 20 assists during the season. His excellence placed him among the top three contenders for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or, where he ultimately finished third, trailing only his Barcelona teammates, Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta.

After club captain Carles Puyol retired, Xavi was appointed as Barcelona's new captain, cementing his legacy within the team. On April 25, 2015, Xavi achieved a historic milestone by making his 500th La Liga appearance, becoming the eighth player in history to reach this number. 

His illustrious Barcelona career concluded on June 6, 2015, during the Champions League Final against Juventus, where he entered as a substitute for Andrés Iniesta in the 78th minute. This marked his 767th and final appearance for the club, as Barcelona went on to secure their fifth European Cup.

After coaching in the Middle East, Xavi returned to the Nou Camp in November 2021 as Barcelona’s manager. In his stint as Manager, he helped the club to win the 2022/2023 La Liga title joining the League of Players to win a league title as a player and a coach.

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Andres Iniesta

Both in international and club football, goals often steal the limelight but in most cases, the orchestration that creates the pathway of a goal is an assist from a teammate. Every player plays very less international matches compared to club games and that is why it is tougher to accumulate a huge number of goals and assists in international football.

There are some players whose longevity, creativity, and passion for the game let them enter the chart of the players with most assists in international football. Let's look at the list consisting of the top 10 players. 

10. David Beckham - 36 Assists

The British football sensation, David Beckham made his debut with the England national team in 1996 and made 115 appearances before retiring from international football in May 2013.

Beckham was the Ballon d'Or Runner-up in 1999 and he was named English Player of the Year in 2003. In 2008, the FA enlisted him in the English Football Hall of Fame.  

Along with 17 international goals, Beckham also made 36 assists which makes him 10th in the list. 

9. Mesut Ozil - 40 Assists

One of the greatest playmakers the game has ever witnessed, Mesut Ozil debuted in 2009 for the Germany national team. Ozil played in three world cups with Germany and won the coveted trophy in 2014. 

Ozil retired from international football as a form of protest after Germany crashed out of the group stage in the 2018 World Cup and the DFB President Grindel accused him of racism. However, Ozil won the German Player of the Year Award 5 times in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016.

Before retiring, Ozil already made 92 appearances for Germany and had 40 assists by his name. 

8. Pele - 47 Assists*

Arguably one of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele debuted for the Brazil national team at the age of 16 in 1957 in a friendly against Argentina. He lifted three World Cups (formerly known as the Jules Rimet Trophy) for Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970 which is a Guinness record for the most World Cup wins by a single player.

The TIME named him as the greatest footballer of the 20th century and Reuters named him as the Greatest athlete of the century in 1999. 

According to some estimated data, Pele made 92 appearances for Brazil and he provided 47 assists before retiring from international football in 1977. 

7. Cristiano Ronaldo - 47 Assists

One of the most influential athletes of the 21st century and considered one of the greatest footballers ever, Cristiano Ronaldo debuted in the Portugal national team in 2003 and made a significant effect in Portuguese football for almost 22 years. 

Winning the EURO 2016 and UEFA Nations League 2018-19 for Portugal, the five-time Ballon winner established himself as the greatest Portuguese footballer of all-time.

Cristiano is now the captain of the national team and he has made 216 appearances for Portugal so far. He is the highest goalscorer ever in the history of international football as well with 133 goals by his name. Besides his brilliant goalscoring prowess, Ronaldo has also made 47 assists in international matches so far.

6. Kevin De Bruyne - 49 Assists

Kevin De Bruyne is one of the finest midfielders of this generation for his exquisite playmaking ability and skillful display on the pitch. He is considered one of the greatest Belgian footballers ever and he was a very crucial part of the famous Golden Generation of Belgium. 

He was a memorable part of the Belgium squad that finished third in the 2018 World Cup and was included in the official 2018 WC Dream Team.

The 33-year-old midfielder made his Belgium senior team debut in 2010 and has made 107 appearances so far. During this journey, De Bruyne has provided 49 assists as of now.  

5. Sandor Kocsis - 50 Assists*

The Hungarian forward Sandor Peter Kocsis stands fifth on the list. Kocsis debuted for the Hungary national team in 1948 at the age of 18 and played almost 70 matches before retiring in 1966. 

Kocsis was the highest goalscorer in the 1954 World Cup with 11 goals including two hat-tricks. He also scored 6 goals for the Hungary national team in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and led them to win the Gold medal.

According to estimated data sources, Sandor Kocsis scored 75 goals for the national team and he also made 50 assists in international football.

4. Ferenc Puskás - 53 Assists*

Another Hungarian, and probably the greatest Hungarian footballer ever, Ferenc Puskás made his debut for the Hungary national team in 1945. He played 85 games for the national team and scored 84 goals. 

Puskás was another crucial part of the Hungary team that won the Gold medal in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics as he scored 4 goals in that tournament. Puskás also scored 4 goals in the 1954 World Cup including the opening goal in the final but Hungary lost to West Germany by 2-3. 

Puskás also played for the Spain national team for 4 times. He was named European Player of the 20th Century by L'Equipe. 

Before retiring from football in 1966, Puskás had 53 assists by his name. 

3. Lionel Messi - 57 Assists

Arguably considered the greatest footballer ever, Lionel Messi is both one of the best goalscorers and playmakers to ever grace the game. Debuting in 2005, Lionel Messi has made 189 appearances for the Argentina national team so far. 

Messi's greatest honour with the national team came in 2022 when he led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup, and he was named the Best Player of the Tournament. Messi is the only player to win two Golden Ball awards in 2014 and 2022. 

The record 8-time Ballon winner also won two Copa Americas with Argentina, consecutively in 2021 and 2024. 

With 112 goals for the national team, he also made 57 assists in international games and he will surely surpass the toppers of the list in his remaining appearances for Argentina. 

2. Neymar Jr. - 58 Assists

The greatest Brazilian footballer of this generation, Neymar Jr. is another forward whose display is not only exquisite in goalscoring but also in playmaking. 

Neymar Jr. made his debut with the Brazilian national team in 2010 and won the Golden Ball for being selected as the best player of the tournament in Brazil's Confederations Cup triumph in 2013. He scored 4 goals and made 2 assists in 5 matches in that tournament.

However, after suffering a horrendous injury in the 2014 World Cup, Neymar led the Brazil team to win the Olympics Gold on home soil in the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Neymar is also the all-time highest goalscorer of Brazil's national football team with 79 goals by his name. Neymar is tied with the leader on this list with his 58 assists in 129 international appearances but he will surely clinch the top spot in his remaining career. 

1. Landon Donovan - 58 Assists

The USMNT footballing legend is the leader in this list which may shock some but does not demean his excellence. Landon Donovan is considered the greatest footballer the USMNT has ever had. Making his debut in 2000 for the USMNT, he made 157 appearances before retiring from international football in 2014. 

Landon Donovan appeared in 3 editions of the World Cup and scored 5 goals in 12 World Cup appearances. He also won 4 CONCACAF Gold Cups with USMNT in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2013. After his retirement, Donovan was named as the greatest-ever USMNT player by The Guardian.

Landon Donovan is still atop the list with 58 international assists by his name. 

NB: In case of starred (*) players, there are no authentic records, and their stats are mostly estimated by various sources.