Karim Benzema has become the official ambassador for Saudi Arabia's official bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Benzema expressed his confidence in the competence of Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 during a recent meeting with young footballers in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia strengthens its position through the collaboration
Karim Benzema signed for Al-Ittihad in 2023 as one of the most prominent faces of world football to feature in the Saudi Pro League. Many promising footballers have joined the Saudi Pro League in recent years to elevate their footballing careers. Saudi Arabian Football Federation has shown greater aspirations by submitting an official bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Following Australia's withdrawal, which was Saudi's only contender in the bidding process, Saudi Arabia is now in the pole position to win the hosting rights for the biggest event of football in 2034. Saudi Arabian Football Federation has tied knots with the French icon to strengthen their position in the premises of world football.
The 36-year-old forward announced his appointment as the ambassador during a visit to Al-Balad. He stated:
I believe Saudi football is changing. I think that in 10 years, Saudi Arabia will be ready. I believe that visitors will be surprised by the passion of Saudi fans at every match,
Recent controversies regarding human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia have struck the football environment, as human rights activists have also expressed their concern about FIFA's decision. However, Benzema conveyed his personal views regarding the criticisms.
People who have preconceived notions about Saudi Arabia should come and see for themselves. There are incredible things and iconic places. The people are welcoming. You feel good here. It's a country worth exploring. There is so much to do. It's not just about the desert, even though there are incredible experiences to be had in the desert as well. You must come and visit Saudi Arabia.
Benzema addressed the importance of grassroots developments in football
The French icon recently met the trainees from the Saudi Football Federation’s regional training centers in Jeddah and offered his understanding to develop a better environment for football in the region. Benzema said:
Saudi football is developing, and I am confident that after 10 years Saudi Arabia will be fully prepared (for the World Cup).
Training and development begin with the young players, and this is the most important thing — creating a generation that can reach the highest level.
An official statement by FIFA to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup may arrive this month after the FIFA Congress on 11 December 2024.
Many Players have experienced taking the UEFA Champions League match ball home. But few have done it multiple times. Listening to the UEFA Champions League anthem on the pitch while being in the starting lineup is the dream of every other kid football fan. But among the dreamers, few players go on to make further history in the game.
Players who leave a lasting impression through their quality, be it defending, goalkeeping, or even scoring goals. In this article, we will have a look at the players with the most hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League history.
RANK
PLAYERS
HAT-TRICKS
CLUBS
1
Cristiano Ronaldo
8
Real Madrid (7), Juventus (1)
2
Lionel Messi
8
FC Barcelona (8)
3
Robert Lewandowski
6
Borussia Dortmund (1), Bayern Munich (4), FC Barcelona (1)
4
Karim Benzema
4
Real Madrid (1)
5
Luiz Adriano
3
Shakhtar Donetsk (3)
6
Mario Gomez
3
Bayern Munich (3)
7
Filippo Inzaghi
3
Juventus (2), AC Milan (1)
8
Neymar Junior
3
FC Barcelona (1), Paris Saint-Germain (2)
9
Kylian Mbappe
3
Paris Saint-Germain (2), Real Madrid (1)
10
Harry Kane
2
Tottenham Hotspurs (1), FC Bayern Munich (1)
10. Harry Kane| 2 Hat-tricks| Tottenham Hotspurs & Bayern Munich:
First Hat-trick | Tottenham Hotspurs:
On 26th September 2017, Harry Kane hit his first hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League against APOEL FC, Tottenham Hotspurs won that match 3-0 in the group stage and Kane finished the group stage joint second in the top scorers chart with six goals.
Second Hat-trick | FC Bayern Munich:
On 18th September 2024, Harry Kane hit his second hat-trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League. Kane scored 4 goals and Bayern Munich won that match 9-2 at Allianz Arena in Munich.
9. Kylian Mbappe | 3 Hat-tricks | Paris Saint-Germain & Real Madrid:
On 17 February 2017, Kylian Mbappe scored his second UEFA Champions League Round of 16 hat-tricks against the mighty FC Barcelona in Parc des Princes. Mbappe scored 3 goals and Moises Keane scored the last goal against Barcelona and they won 4-1 against the Blaugranes.
8. Neymar Jr. | 3 Hat-tricks | FC Barcelona & Paris Saint-Germain:
First Hat-trick | FC Barcelona:
On December 11, 2013, Neymar Jr. scored his first-ever hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League at Camp Nou in Spain. In that Lionel Messi was injured, but Neymar stepped up and scored a hat-trick against Celtic FC and FC Barcelona triumphed over a dominant 6-1 win against Celtic FC.
Filippo Inzaghi scored his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Dynamo Kyiv. Filippo Inzaghi became the first Juventus player to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick when he found the back of the net on three occasions against Dynamo Kyiv in March 1998. Juventus won that match with a comfortable 4-1 scoreline.
Second Hat-trick | Juventus:
On 13 September 2000, Filippo Inzaghi netted his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Hamburg. Filippo Inzaghi's hat-trick rescued Juventus as an astonishing Champions League match against Hamburg finished 4-4 in Germany. Juventus led 3-1 at one stage before falling 4-3 behind and it needed a late penalty from Inzaghi to rescue a point.
Third Hat-trick | AC Milan:
The former Italian international scored his third UEFA Champions League hat-trick in his iconic AC Milan Jersey against Deportivo La Coruna. With the help of his hat-trick AC Milan won with a comfortable 4-0 scoreline in the 2002-03 season.
6. Mario Gomez | 3 Hat-tricks | FC Bayern Munich:
Mario Gomez bagged 3 UCL hat-tricks for Bayern Munich | Bayern Munich
Mario Gomez scored his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick against the Romanian side CFR Cluj in November 2010. Almost a year to the day later, the German forward scored a match-winning hat-trick against Napoli to seal a 3-2 win.
Luiz Adriano had registered his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick two years prior when he netted three times in Shakhtar's 5-2 win over Danish side Nordsjaelland in November 2012. Luiz Adriano netted his second UEFA Champions League hat-trick against BATE Borisov in the 2014 season. The Brazilian recorded his third hat-trick against BATE as he inspired Shakhtar to a 5-0 win.
The Frenchman would wait five years for his second as he scored three times in an 8-0 win over Malmo, scoring three against PSG in March 2022, Benzema recorded his fourth UEFA Champions League hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Chelsea in April that year.
The Polish forward had already agreed on terms with Bayern at that point and Lewandowski recorded four hat-tricks for the German giants when opposing Dinamo Zagreb, Red Star Belgrade, Benfica, and lastly Red Bull Salzburg.
The former Barcelona legend scored other six UEFA Champions League hat-tricks against Ajax, APOEL Nicosia, Celtic, Manchester City, and PSV Eindhoven, a record equaled by Cristiano Ronaldo just six months later.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 8 Hat-tricks | Real Madrid & Juventus:
Although the most memorable one came against Atlético de Madrid the second time. This time in the colors of Juventus. Juventus progressed 3-2 on aggregate to reach the quarterfinals.
20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League History
Discover the 20 highest-paid footballers in Saudi Pro League history, featuring superstar signings, record-breaking salaries, and the league's biggest earners. Explore how Saudi Clubs have reshaped global football with massive contracts and marquee transfers.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo's groundbreaking move to Al-Nassr in December 2022, the Saudi Pro League has become an attractive destination for several high-profile European stars. His transfer acted as a channel, inspiring many big names to follow in his footsteps and head to the Middle East.
Top players like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane have made the switch. While the appeal of a new challenge may have played a minor role in their decisions, the well-paid contracts were undoubtedly the main motivation. Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves even admitted that in December 2023, though he also acknowledged that the league's ambitious project influenced his choice.
As the biggest star in the Saudi Pro League,Cristiano Ronaldo earns an astronomical weekly age, with his presence drawing global attention to the league's expanding brand. But who else comes close to him in terms of earnings?
20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League history:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 3.85 million Euros per Week:
Cristiano Ronaldo wins first title at Al-Nassr in Arab Club Champions | Sports Inquirer. net
The Pioneer, The game-changer, The highest-paid footballer of all time. Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in January 2023 was not just a transfer- it was a statement. His arrival ignited a wave of big-name signings in the Saudi Pro League, but none have matched his astonishing earnings.
Earning twice as much as the next best-paid player, he remains the undisputed financial King of both the league and theWorld football. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner did not just adapt, he succeeded, finishing 2023 as the year's top goal scorer across all competitions. At 40, he is not just playing-he is redefining the game on a new level.
2. Karim Benzema | 1.93 million Euros per week:
Karim Benzema earns 1.93 million euros per week in Saudi Arabia | Info-Sport-com
Karim Benzema had the option to stay at Real Madrid for another year, but who can blame him for accepting a three-year deal with champions Al-lttihad, well over 150 million? At 35, an age when many players consider retirement, he chose to take a new challenge while securing an astonishing payday.
Official, confirmed. Karim Benzema joins Al Ittihad on two year deal with option for further season. 🟡⚫️🇸🇦 #AlIttihad
Benzema will earn almost €200m per season net salary, commercial deals included. pic.twitter.com/vSrkL4zjJI
However,unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, the Frenchman has struggled to settle in the Saudi Pro League, even earning aharsh new nickname from Al-lttihad fans. Despite this, he has still delivered on the pitch, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in just 29 games during his debut season in the Middle East.
3. Riyad Mahrez | 1.03 million Euros per week:
Image Credit: Sofoot.com
Riyad Mahrez ranks third on this list, but he trails significantly behind the top two in earnings, nearly 50% of what Benzema makes. Even so, his 8.3 million euros salary at Manchester City now seems like pocket change compared to the eye-watering sum he is earning at Al-Ahli.
Riyad Mahrez to Al Ahli, here we go! The documents are being exchanged as Man City and Al Ahli want the deal signed by the end of the week. 🚨🟢🇸🇦 #AlAhli
Mahrez will sign until June 2027 — Man City will receive €35m fee with add ons included.
Now making more than Five times his City wages, the Algerian international continues to showcase the same dazzling skill in Saudi Arabia that Premier League fans enjoyed weekly. With 12 goals and 14 assists at the time of writing, he is proving his worth, even if Al-Ahli fell short of winning Saudi Pro League title in his debut season.
4. Sadio Mane | 769k euros Per Week:
Image Credit: Rousingthekop
Sadio Mane's time at Bayern Munich can fairly be described as pathetic. The Senegalese forward, who once tortured Premier League defenses with Liverpool and Southampton, struggled to find favor in Bavaria. His difficult spells even included a physical argument with teammate Leroy Sane.
Sadio Mané to Al Nassr, here we go! Deal in place between the two clubs, Bayern have accepted the verbal proposal after advanced talks yesterday 🟡🔵🇸🇦
Paperwork to be checked on player side and then medical will be booked, deal will be done.
As a result, securing a move away from the Allianz Arena become Mane's top priority. He ultimately signed for Al-Nassr, joining forces with Cristiano Ronaldo. The 32-year-old penned a deal reportedly with around 34 million euros per year, placing him just ahead of another former Premier League star.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly | 667k euros Per Week:
Saudi’s Al-Hilal sign Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea | Indian Express.com
Chelsea fans were confident they had found the perfect defensive partner for Thiago Silva in Kalidou Koulibaly, even handing him John Terry's iconic number. However, the Senegalese defender endured a challenging spell at Stamford Bridge and was moved on in 2023 for 20 million euros.
Since joining Al-Hilal, Koulibaly has been a steady presence at the back, leaving his Premier struggles behind to help guide his new team to the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League title.
Earning around 295,000 euros per week in Chelsea, the 33-year-old nearly doubted his wages with the move. In an interview, he even admitted that the amazing financial offer played a major role in his decision.
"I can’t deny it. With this money, I will be able to help my whole family to live well, from my parents to my cousins"
Every Premier League player who went to play for Saudi Pro League clubs
John Duran is the latest inclusion in the Saudi Pro League after leaving the Premier League, as he joined Al-Nassr from Aston Villa. In this article, Sportz Point explores Every Premier League player who went to play for Saudi Pro League clubs.
Duran, who has scored 10 goals for Aston Villa across the Premier League and UCL this season, has signed a gigantic five-year contract with the Cristiano Ronaldo-led club.
The Colombian youngster is the latest inclusion to follow the footsteps of former Premier Leaguefootballers who left the top division of English football to explore new opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
In this article, Sportz Point assesses every Premier League player who went to play for various Saudi Pro League clubs.
1. N'Golo Kante - Chelsea to Al-Ittihad (2023)
N'Golo Kanteis the foremost renowned footballer who left the Premier League to join the Saudi Pro League, bringing a revolution in the business for Saudi Pro League clubs.
The French World Cup winner and always a fan-favourite, left Chelsea in July 2023 to join Al-Ittihad on a free transfer. Kante received a 3-year contract at the Saudi club, where he reportedly earns a whopping €100 million per year.
The 33-year-old midfielder is currently playing for Al-Ittihad, and his contract runs until June 2026.
In July 2023, Kalidou Koulibaly signed for the current Saudi Champions Al-Hilal for an undisclosed fee, reportedly worth €23 million. The Senegal international spent only one year in Chelsea, where he joined in 2022 from the Italian side Napoli.
The 33-year-old defender is currently donning the Al-Hilal shirt, where he is on a contract until June 2026.
3. Edouard Mendy - Chelsea to Al-Ahli (2023)
Edouard Mendy will always be a legend for Chelsea fans for his towering performance as the goalkeeper in Chelsea's UCL-winning campaign in 2020-21.
However, in a shocking move in July 2023, the Senegal international joined Al-Ahli for a reported fee of €19 million. The 32-year-old goalkeeper is on a three-year contract with Al-Ahli, expiring in June 2026.
4. Demarai Gray - Everton to Al-Ettifaq (2023)
Demarai Gray signed for Al-Ettifaq on the deadline day of the transfer window in Saudi Arabia, on September 7th, 2023.
However, the Jamaican international penned down a four-year contract with the Saudi outfit, keeping him at the club until June of 2027.
5. Aleksandar Mitrovic - Fulham to Al-Hilal (2023)
Aleksandar Mitrovic has proved himself as arguably the best overseas signing the Saudi Pro League has made since the door opened in 2023. The Serbian forward signed for Al-Hilal in August 2023. He left Fulham, where he had a dream season in 2022-23, scoring 14 goals in just 24 PL appearances.
However, Al-Hilal paid a reported fee of €52 million to sign Mitrovic from Fulham. Since arriving in Saudi, the 30-year-old striker has netted 60 goals and provided 11 assists in 67 appearances for Al-Hilal, leading the club to the Saudi Arabian League title in 2023-24 and various other accolades.
6. Ezgjan Alioski - Leeds to Al-Ahli (2021)
Although Kante is the PL footballer who had drawn significant attention from Saudi Clubs, it was Ezgjan Alioski who first joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2021, leaving Leeds Unitedon a free transfer.
However, the Macedonian left-back was loaned to Fenerbahce only after a year, and he spent a one-year loan stint at the Turkish side before permanently returning to Al-Ahli in June 2023. Alioski is in the last year of his contract, as the agreement expires in June 2025.
7. Fabinho - Liverpool to Al-Ittihad (2023)
Fabinho joined Al-Ittihad in July 2023 for a transfer fee of almost €47 million, leaving his former club Liverpool.
The former Liverpool captain spent a long 5-year spell at Liverpool, winning almost everything with the Merseyside club. The Brazilian defensive midfielder is currently on a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad, binding him to the club until June 2026.
8. Roberto Firmino - Liverpool to Al-Ahli (2023)
Roberto Firmino, another cult hero of Liverpool, left the club in July 2023 to sign for Al-Ahli Saudi on a free transfer after his contract expired at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Firmino played for Liverpool from 2015 to 2023, making him a legend for the Premier League club, where he won almost everything, scoring 111 goals in 362 games.
The 33-year-old Brazilian is on a three-year deal with the Saudi club, expiring on June 2026.
9. Jordan Henderson - Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq (2023)
(Image Credit | Getty Images)
The case ofJordan Henderson is a unique instance, as he spent only 6 months in Saudi. The former Liverpool skipper moved to Al-Ettifaq after a €14 million transfer in July 2023, penning a three-year deal with the Saudi side.
However, things did not go well with the England international as he failed to adjust to the Saudi Arabian climate and also had family reasons. Henderson left Al-Ettifaq in January 2024 as he returned to Europe to play for Ajax Amsterdam.
Henderson currently captains the Dutch side, where his contract runs until June 2026.
10. Aymeric Laporte - Man City to Al-Nassr (2023)
(Image Credit | ESPN)
Aymeric Laporte left Manchester Cityto join Al-Nassr in July 2023 after the Saudi side paid almost €28 million in transfer fees.
The dynamic Spanish center-back was handed a three-year contract with the Saudi club, which runs until June 2026. Although he has not moved to any other club, he has recently been linked to a move to the Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
11. Riyad Mahrez - Man City to Al-Ahli (2023)
Riyad Mahrez has always been a silent cornerstone for Manchester City's success in recent years under Pep Guardiola. Mahrez also played a significant part in the iconic Premier League-winning campaign of Leicester City in 2016.
However, the Algerian left City in July 2023 on a €35 million transfer to join Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. The 33-year-old winger was handed a four-year contract that runs until June 2027.
12. Alex Telles - Man United to Al-Nassr (2023)
Alex Telles joined his national teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr after joining the Saudi side on a €4.6 million transfer. Telles left Manchester United to start anew in the Middle East.
However, his stint at Al-Nassr was full of obstacles, as only after a year, the Portuguese full-back terminated his contract by mutual agreement and joined the Brazilian side Botafogo on a free transfer in September 2024.
13. Allan Saint-Maximin - Newcastle to Al-Ahli (2023)
Allan Saint-Maximin emerged as one of the best forwards in the Premier League, before making a shocking move to Al-Ahli from Newcastle United for a transfer fee worth almost €28 million.
However, Maximin is now playing for Fenerbahce after being loaned out in July 2024, although he has a contract with Al-Ahli until June 2026.
14. Ruben Neves - Wolves to Al-Hilal (2023)
Ruben Neves etched his name in the history of Wolverhampton Wanderers; playing for the English side for almost seven years.
The Portuguese defensive midfielder left his beloved Wolves to join Al-Hilal in July 2023 on a huge €55 million transfer. Neves is contracted with Al-Hilal until June 2026.
15. Moussa Diaby - Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad (2024)
(Image Credit | transfermarkt)
Moussa Diaby proved himself as one of the best emerging talents in world football but he unexpectedly signed for Al-Ittihad in July 2024, leaving Aston Villa on a huge €60 million transfer.
The 25-year-old French midfielder also played for renowned European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and a significant four-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
16. Ivan Toney - Brentford to Al-Ahli (2024)
(Image Credit | talkSport)
Ivan Toney entered the England national team following his masterful performance with Brentford in the Premier League. However, he left the English side in August 2024, as Al-ahli paid a transfer fee of €42 million for the English forward.
The 28-year-old forward is currently playing for Al-Ahli where he is on a mega contract that runs until June 2028.
17. Johann Berg Gudmundsson - Burnley to Al-Orobah (2024)
Johann Berg Gudmundsson played an integral part in Burnley's promotion to the Premier League for the 2023-24 season. However, the Iceland international moved to Al-Orobah in August 2024 for an undisclosed fee.
The 34-year-old winger is in the last year of his contract with Al-Orobah as it ends in June 2025.
18. Marek Rodak - Fulham to Al-Ettifaq (2024)
(Image Source | X)
Marek Rodak, the Slovak international, left Fulham to join Al-Ettifaq on a free transfer in August 2024.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper is on a contract until June 2027.
19. Joao Cancelo - Man City to Al-Hilal (2024)
Joao Cancelo spent a tumultuous year in 2023, as he spent two different loan spells in Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona. However, Barcelona failed to trigger his release clause in August 2024 as Manchester City sold the Portuguese international to Al-Hilal on a modest €25 million transfer.
The 30-year-old fullback signed a three-year contract that runs until June 2027.
20. Kurt Zouma - West Ham to Al-Orobah (2024)
Kurt Zouma left West Ham United in August 2024 after spending almost three years at the English side, as he was loaned to Al-Orobah for a year. The French defender's loan ends in June 2025.
21. Jhon Duran - Aston Villa to Al-Nassr (2025)
(Image Credit | Sportbible)
Jhon Duran is the latest Premier League footballer to leave top-tier English football to join Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr has signed the Colombian youngster from Aston Villa for a huge €77 transfer fee including the add-ons. The 21-year-old striker, who signed a mega five-year contract, will stay at Al-Nassr until June 2030.
Saudi Pro Leaguegains another former football icon to work in Saudi Arabia as Pavel Nedved, the 2003Ballon d'Or winner has signed for Al-Shabab FC as the new Sporting Director of the club.
The Czechia and Juventus legend is set to take the helm at Al-Shabab from 9 January 2025.
“Pavel Nedved”, the Ballon d’Or legend, writes a new chapter with #AlShabab
The club announced his appointment via a social media post that reads: "Czech legend Pavel Nedved appointed Sporting Director of Al Shabab."
Nedved set to bring his administration experiences to Saudi
(Image Credit | Al-Shabab FC)
Considered one of the greatest Czech footballers of all time, Pavel Nedved etched his name in history books while playing for Juventus and Lazio. After joining Lazio in 1996, Nedved won 7 trophies before joining Juventus in 2001.
His 9-year-long and illustrious career with Juventus also earned him 5 silverware, and most remarkably, Nedved won the 2003 Ballon d'Or while playing for the Turin club with 65 goals and 81 assists to his name.
However, after retiring in 2009, Nedved started his chapter in football administration as he joined the Juventus Board of Directors in October 2010. Since October 2015, Nedved served as the club's vice president before leaving the position in November 2022.
Al-Shabab has made a significant move in signing Nedved, as they eye for youth football development and a revamped footballing structure at the club. The newly-appointed Turkish coach Fetih Tarim will also combine with Nedved to bring the coveted glory to the club.
Currently dwelling in sixth place in the Saudi Pro League table, the club has adopted an ambitious approach to compete with the echelons of the Saudi Arabian football arena.
Who Has the Most Assists in Champions League History? Ronaldo, Di Maria, Messi and More
Cristiano Ronaldo is the player with the most goals and assists in Champions League history. Angel di Mari and Lionel Messi follow him in the list of players with the most assists in Champions League history.
Numerous World-Class Stars enlightened the field with goal creation during those famous European nights, without whom such world-class goals would never have been scored. Thus, along with those stunning goals, it's important to know about the players who produce those assists. In this article, we will discuss about the players with most assist in Champions League history.
Most assist in Champions League history
There were many star players on the list, so it's not easy to discuss all of them in one go. But it's possible to discuss some of them. Let's analyze the top ten players with the most assists in the history of the UEFA Champions League:
10. Kevin de Bruyne, 29 Assists
De Bruyne with the Champions League Trophy. Image | AP News
Kevin De Bruyne is known for playing the superb ball into dangerous areas to create high-quality or great chances for his teammates. His quick thinking and passing skills put his name in the 10th position on the list of most assists in the history of the Champions League.
Iniesta with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Punch Newspapers
Like his partner in crime Xavi Hernandez, Iniesta also has his name on the list of most assists in Champions League history, just one behind his former teammate Xavi who had 29 UCL assists.
The Spaniard became the first man to create a goal in three separate Champions League finals. The Barcelona legend played 130 Champions League matches and won the title four times along with the Sextuple in 2009.
Benzema with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Sporting News India
Best known for his goalscoring ability, Karim Benzema became the oldest player to score consecutive hat-tricks in the Champions League in 2022/23. The Frenchman made a total of 29 assists in his overall Champions League Career while playing for Olympique Lyon and Real Madrid.
Benzema played in 152 Champions League games and was part of the famous B-B-C combination which made Real Madrid one of the greatest teams of the modern era.
Muller with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Twitter
Thomas Muller is one of the most consistent performers in Bayern Munich. Regarded as one of the most underrated players in football history, Muller till now has managed 30 assists in the Champions League.
He managed to win the Champions League twice with Bayern Munich in 2012-13 and 2019-20 respectively. Muller holds the 7th position on the list with the most assists in Champions League history.
Xavi with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Pinterest
A superb youth product of Barcelona like Messi, Xavi Hernandez could be considered one of the all-time best midfielders in Football history.
The Spaniard played a record 767 games for a single club, Barcelona. He is popularly known for his knack for playing crucial passes for his teammates and ended up providing 200 assists, out of which 30 are from the Champions League.
Giggs with the Champions League Trophy. Image | The Independent
He appeared in the Champions League 145 times and assisted 30 times in his Champions League career. He is the academy product of Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United Team and played a key part in the 1999 and 2008 Champions League triumphs.
Gigs is a true legend and could be considered an all-time great in European Football history. Throughout his Champions League Career, he had represented Manchester United only.
4. Neymar, 33 Assists
Neymar with the Champions League Trophy. Image | PSG Talk
Neymar is regarded as one of the best players in modern football. He won the treble with Barcelona in the 2014/15 season. Neymar, with his tricky skills, managed to assist 33 times precisely for his teammates in his entire Champions League career.
The Brazilian played for Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League. Neymar is the youngest player on the list and could possibly make a comeback in the European Club football.
3. Lionel Messi, 40 Assists
Messi with the Champions League Trophy. Image | TNT Sports
Messi is undoubtedly one of the greatest passers in world football, but it took seven matches for him to get the first Champions League assist.
In his illustrious Champions League Career, he played for Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain and holds the third position in the list of the top 10 most assists in the history of the Champions League with 40 assists.
Di Maria with the Champions League Trophy. Image | The Times
Di Maria holds the second position on the list with 41 assists. During his entire Champions League career, he played for top clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, and Benfica. Although, he managed to win the competition just once.
His most recent goal-creation against AS Monaco for Benfica took him one ahead of his friend Messi. Though he is 36 now, he still has time to claim the top spot because he is just one behind Ronaldo.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, 42 Assists
Cristiano Ronaldo with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Goal India. Com
Discussing the Champions League and "MR Champions League" is not on the list that is not possible! Though Cristiano is popularly known for his goal-scoring ability, the Portuguese International also tops the list in goal creation for his teammates in Europe's most prestigious competition.
Ronaldo tops the list with 42 assists and played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus in the process while winning the title five times. Not to forget he also has the record for most goals in the Champions League (140) as well.
So that concludes the Top 10 List for the Most Assists in the History of Champions League. There are other names that also deserve credit in terms of the best European talents and brilliant assist makers we have ever witnessed like Cesc Fabregas, Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and many more.
However, they remain just beyond the players mentioned on the list. Who is your favourite assist maker in the world of football? Let me know.
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