Superstars from PSG, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City make up Europe's most lethal players – in terms of both finishing and creating chances and these teams feature five players with the most goals and assists in 2022-23.

These players are Europe's elite as they are master of scoring and play making at the highest level in their respective leagues and Europe.

The players to have registered the most goals and assists in European football this season features some familiar names – from the old guard to the new generation set to dominate for years to come.

Here are the top five players with the goals and assists in 2022-23 in all competitions:

5. Lionel Messi – 41 (21 goals, 20 assists)

PSG have endured an underwhelming campaign, but they will retain their Ligue 1 crown in large part to Messi looking back to his best.

The Argentinian icon's debut season in Paris was mediocre by his own lofty standards, but he's looked inspired in 2022-23. Sandwiching his heroics out in Qatar, the 35-year-old has notched 15 goals and 16 assists in the French top flight.

Messi is also the only player to register 20 goals and 20 assists in all competitions this season.

But Messi's historic reign in Europe has finally come to an end as Lionel Messi has moved to Inter Miami in the MLS.

4. Vinicius Junior – 44 (23 goals, 21 assists)

The Brazilian forward's rapid ascent continues unabated.

Vinicius Junior's pace caused Pep to have a fit,
But his comeback goal left the man in blue feeling legit.
Ready for your own epic comeback?
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pic.twitter.com/BgwMIBCFFR

— ☸️S.C☸️ (@SC9334657213565) May 23, 2023

After scoring the match-winner in last season's Champions League final, Vinicius just gets better and better. The 22-year-old has already registered his career-best numbers with 44 goal contributions in all competitions for Real Madrid this season.

"It is not fair that a poor young man who succeeded in life and who is becoming one of the best footballers ," Brazil president Lula said after the latest disgusting episode of racism aimed at Vinicius. Those aren't empty words – they're backed up by his outstanding numbers.

"We cannot allow fascism and racism to take over football stadiums," Lula added. Hear, hear.

3. Mohamed Salah – 46 (30 goals, 16 assists)

Liverpool's 2022-23 season has not quite gone to plan.

After ending up only a couple of wins away from a historic quadruple last term, Jurgen Klopp's Reds have ended the 2022-23 without any silverware and their hope of qualifying for the Champions League is hanging by a thread.

Some diagnosed Salah's drop-off in form as part of the problem, suggesting Liverpool's Egyptian King hasn't quite been the same since last year's Africa Cup Of Nations. The 30-year-old has emphatically proven the doubters wrong since then, registering extraordinary numbers (30 goals, 15 assists) – which is arguably even more impressive they've come for an otherwise underperforming team.

Also Read: https://sportzpoint.com/web-stories/most-assists-in-2022-top-5-leagues-all-competitions/

2. Kylian Mbappe – 51 (41 goals, 10 assists)

Messi isn't the only footballing genius to have added some gloss to an otherwise disappointing season for PSG, with Mbappe delivering big time.

A brilliant instinctive strike from Kylian Mbappé to give PSG the lead over second-placed Lens! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/zikbbRbcr6

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 15, 2023

The forward has scored 28 goals in Ligue 1 for the Parisiens, a tally bettered only by Haaland and Harry Kane in Europe's major leagues.

Mbappe has scored 51 goals in all competitions for club and country this season. That's just two off the all-time record set by Les Bleus legend Just Fontaine in 1957-58. With two games left to play, you wouldn't back against him doing it.

1. Erling Haaland – 61 (52 goals, 9 assists)

For well over a decade, Messi and Ronaldo dominated the top-end of this list. Mbappe and Haaland have been talked up as their generation's answer to the era-defining duo – and it would be no surprise to see these two players top these charts for many more years to come.

In truth, the Norwegian striker has blown Mbappe – and everyone else in Europe – out of the water with his starring role in Manchester City's treble-chasing campaign. His record-breaking 36 Premier League goals means that a first European Golden Shoe is already in the bag, while his 12 Champions League goals have all but confirmed his place as that competition's top scorer too. Making him the top player among the 5 players with the most and assists in 2022-23.

He has also won the PFA and FWA player of the year for this season.

Haaland has already enjoyed one of the all-time great individual campaigns for Manchester City, and his place in the annals of football history is secured with a treble this season (FA Cup, Premier League and UEFA Champions League).

Paris Saint-Germain is in turmoil on and off the pitch as a rift between the club's Sporting Director Luis Campos and manager Luis Enrique is growing; following PSG's 3-match winless streak across all competitions. After having some difficulties with players such as Ousmane Dembele and Gianluigi Donnarumma, Enrique now finds himself in a torn relationship with the Sporting Director of the Paris club. 

The relationship between PSG Sporting Director Luis Campos and Luis Enrique is very tense. Disagreements are becoming more frequent and Luis Enrique's job is under pressure.

— @diarioas pic.twitter.com/aMSq4G2sVh

— Score Universal (@ScoreUniversal) December 8, 2024

The scenario at Paris Saint-Germain 

PSG have faced two draws in the Ligue 1 and a defeat in the UEFA Champions League in their last three outings across all competitions which seemed to have disappointed Luis Campos, who is keen on signing a new striker in the upcoming January transfer window. However, Campos suggested strikers such as Viktor Gyökeres and Victor Osimhen as potential signings for the club in the upcoming transfer window, but Enrique reportedly rejected both players. The Spanish coach turned down the idea and showed his confidence in the current squad. However, the players are still on the wishlist of PSG but the operation seems to have gotten complicated. 

🚨 LUIS ENRIQUE A REFUSÉ TOUT LES N°9 PROPOSÉS PAR LUIS CAMPOS !

👀 Le conseiller football du PSG a essayé de convaincre le coach espagnol de recruter un avant-centre et a travaillé sur certains dossiers, notamment sur Victor Osimhen et Viktor Gyokeres.

❌ Le tacticien lui a… pic.twitter.com/jJT5n5JUQx

— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) December 7, 2024

This is the first season PSG's offensive lineup is playing after the departure of Kylian Mbappe, and the Parisian club is leading the Ligue 1 table. However, they have only scored 3 goals in 5 matches in the Champions League and are currently positioned 25th in the UCL league table. These poor runs of results and the team management disagreement have created a rift between the two officials. 

Interestingly, Kylian Mbappe's departure last summer brought a tough time at the Parisian club and the two officials dealt with a way tougher situation at the club. The duo worked wonders together to bring in players such as Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele, Lucas Hernandez, Bradley Barcola, and Lee Kang-in in the 2023 summer transfer window. However, recent reports suggest a different scenario between the Spanish manager and the Portuguese official. 

Reports suggesting the tussle

Santi Aouna, the renowned journalist of Mercato reported earlier that the relationship between Luis Enrique and Luís Campos has deteriorated in recent times and tensions have appeared between them in recent days. According to Loïc Tanzi of L’Equipe, the relationship has deteriorated and they had some heated arguments as well. 

Recently, both of them have had multiple talks, some of which have been quite heated. Campos was at the Campus all week this past week which is a rare thing and the players understood that something was happening and noticed that there was distance between both Enrique and Campos. Since Luis Enrique signed his contract extension (till 2027), he has appeared increasingly intent on maintaining strict control over the squad and everything and has adopted a more closed-off and authoritarian style. Luís Campos has lost a lot of influence that he had in the past at PSG and his voice carries much less weight compared to that of Luis Enrique. This marks a stark contrast to the Christophe Galtier era when Campos interacted daily with the players and got even involved in tactical choices. Meanwhile, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is watching things from afar without taking any sides. The upcoming winter transfer window will provide valuable insight into the relationship between Luis Enrique and Campos, as well as the evolving balance of power between the two. Campos has been actively communicating with market players about his intention to make significant moves during this January.

(via L’Equipe)

Only a week ago, it was reported that Paris Saint-Germain already planned to extend the contract of both Campos and Enrique in order to keep them together. But now that their relationship has broken down, PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi will have to play a bigger role under these crucial circumstances. 

Real Madrid secured a vital victory at Montilivi, defeating Girona 3-0 to keep pace in the La Liga title race. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute, continuing his fine form with goals in five consecutive league games.

First Half

Girona started strongly but created few clear chances. Van de Beek’s early effort went over the bar, while Real Madrid began imposing themselves midway through the first half. Brahim Díaz came close in the 34th minute, forcing a sharp save from Gazzaniga. Moments later, Bellingham capitalized on a loose clearance to break the deadlock.

Read Also | 5 Foreign Stars Who Have Scored Most Goals in Premier League History

Second Half

🙌 @KMbappe 🙌#GironaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/1rXP336KW2

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 7, 2024

Madrid intensified their attack after halftime, with Tchouaméni’s header and Güler’s strike testing Girona’s defense. Arda Güler doubled the lead in the 55th minute, calmly slotting home from Bellingham’s precise pass. Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory in the 62nd minute, finishing brilliantly from Luka Modrić's pinpoint through ball.

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Despite Gazzaniga’s heroics, Real’s relentless pressure was too much for the hosts. This commanding win keeps Madrid in the title race and highlights their offensive depth and clinical edge as they continue their strong league campaign.

The club will be excitedly heading into next week's Champions League match.

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Final Score

Real Madrid- 3 (Bellingham 36', Guler 55', Mbappe' 62)

Girona- 0

Visiting Selhurst Park was always set to be a challenging task for Pep Guardiola's City. With every team eager to claim maximum points, the home side delivered an impressive performance that pushed the reigning champions to their limits, forcing them to dig deep late in the match to salvage a point.

First Half

Both sides began the game to score early however it was Palace that made good use of their first chance when English midfielder Will Hughes threaded a neat through pass which Munoz latched onto and dispatched in the bottom left side of the goal to give the home side an early led.

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City started to generate a lot of momentum by holding the ball for long periods to force Palace out but they remained resolute in defending and maintaining their shape. In the 30th minute, Mattheus Nunes played a beautiful cross which Haaland headed from the centre of the box to the left-hand corner of the post to make it 1-1. Iikay Gundogan struck the bar before halftime.

Read Also | 5 Foreign Stars Who Have Scored Most Goals in Premier League History

Second Half

City started the second half in control once more, but it was Palace who broke the deadlock through Maxence Lacroix. In the 55th minute, Hughes delivered a precise corner that found Lacroix surging forward, and the centre-back powered a close-range header past Ortega, leaving him with no chance. 

However, City once again rose to the occasion after falling behind—this time through an unexpected source in Lewis. A swift 68th-minute move began with a drop ball in Palace's half. Kevin De Bruyne played it to Bernardo Silva, who delivered a sublime pass to the onrushing Rico Lewis. 

The England defender unleashed a spectacular shot into the top left corner, levelling the score in style. However, the England defender was later shown a red card after receiving a second booking for a foul on Trevor Chalobah. This decision will see Lewis miss next weekend's Manchester derby.

This fixture holds so much history in the League fondly called the Merseyside derby it was one of the most fiercely contested games. As these two iconic clubs clash again, the stakes are as high as ever, with city pride and crucial points on the line. Everton will look to break Liverpool’s dominance in recent meetings, while the Reds aim to assert their superiority and keep their season's momentum alive.

Match Details

Match: Everton vs Liverpool

Date: 07/12/2024

Time: 6:00 pm (IST)

Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England.

Match Preview

Everton will bid farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the season, a stadium that has been their home for decades and the venue for 244 Merseyside derbies. The 245th derby, set for tomorrow, will be the last held at Goodison before the club transitions to their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.

This historic occasion adds extra intensity, as Everton will be determined not to lose their final derby at the iconic ground to their fierce local rivals. Bragging rights and legacy will be on the line.

Everton manager Sean Dyche heads into the match with confidence following a dominant 4-0 win over Wolves midweek, a performance that highlighted their set-piece strength, with players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Tarkowski posing significant aerial threats.

Their physicality in midfield will also be key to disrupting Liverpool’s flow, potentially creating a hostile environment that the Reds have struggled with in the past.

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On the other hand, Liverpool manager Arne Slot will aim to rally his team after a frustrating draw against Newcastle, where they dropped two crucial points. Slot's side faces pressure from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea closing in behind them in the standings. 

Liverpool, however, have match-winners aplenty, with Mohamed Salah in exceptional form. His pace, sharp runs, and finishing ability will test Everton's defensive resolve. Liverpool also boasts creativity throughout the squad, capable of turning even the most random moments into goal-scoring opportunities.

While Liverpool may be favorites, Everton’s determination to make their last derby at Goodison unforgettable could set the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling encounter.

Read Also | 5 Foreign Stars Who Have Scored Most Goals in Premier League History

Head- to- Head Stats

The two sides have played 64 times with Liverpool dominating the fixture. in the last 5 meetings, the visitors have won 3 times, while Everton has won once and the other has ended in a draw.

Matches played- 64

Liverpool win- 28

Everton win- 11

Draws- 25

Team News

Everton

Armando Broja made his Everton debut late in Wednesday's victory and had a promising impact, creating two opportunities that Jack Harrison failed to convert.

Broja's return adds competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who reclaimed his spot from Beto midweek and contributed to the two own goals scored by Craig Dawson.

Meanwhile, Youssef Chermiti is expected to return in a week or two to further strengthen Everton’s attacking lineup. In midfield, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are also working to regain fitness ahead of the demanding winter schedule.

Michael Keane is doubtful while Youssef Chermiti (foot), Tim Iroegbunam (foot) and James Garner (back) remain sidelined.

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Liverpool

Liverpool's defensive pair, Ibrahima Konate, and Conor Bradley, remain unavailable, and their absence was evident on Wednesday, with Joe Gomez struggling at the back, Jarrell Quansah may be the preferred option to partner Virgil van Dijk in defense.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is nearing a return, although Slot has indicated that he won’t rush him back due to Caoimhin Kelleher’s strong form. However, following Kelleher's costly mistake on Wednesday, Alisson could return sooner than expected.

Alexis Mac Allister will miss the match due to a suspension after his booking at Newcastle, and it seems unlikely that Diogo Jota or Federico Chiesa will feature in such a high-intensity game.

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Possible Lineups

Everton's possible starting lineup:

Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Ndiaye, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin

Liverpool's possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the restructured global club football competition will bring together 32 teams from across the world to vie for the title of world champions.

The draw, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, showcased an impressive lineup of continental and domestic champions from every corner of the globe.

Among the standout contenders are Spain's Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners, Brazil's Botafogo, the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, and Egypt's Al Ahly, who are consecutive CAF Champions League winners.

New Format

Traditionally featuring six to eight teams, the FIFA Club World Cup will now adopt a new format, hosting the largest number of participants in its history. Teams earned qualification by winning their respective continental club tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League, and based on the confederations' four-year rankings.

South America (CONMEBOL) includes six teams, whereas Europe (whose confederation is UEFA) has twelve, making up the largest representation of the 32 teams.

There are four teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (AFC), and Asia (AFC).

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was given a spot, as the domestic champions of the host country, Oceania (OFC) got one spot as well. The top two from each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages after a round-robin group stage.

The final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July.

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FIFA Club World Cup Groups

When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States of America.

How many teams will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

A total of 32 teams from 6 continents will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.