Football is a beautiful game and it excites every fan around the world when their favorite team or favorite player scores a goal. Sometimes those players score alone with their own efforts. However, in the majority of times providing the key pass into the goal-scoring positions takes a lot of thinking and decision making. The pinpoint accurate cross or pass determines the exact probability of a goal. A well-timed pass can change the whole aspect of the match and turn things around. In terms of providing these vital assists, there are some big names coming up on our list. So let us have a look at the Most assists in football by active players (Club + Country)
The Argentine magician has seen a drop in his statistics since his departure from Barcelona. Messi's performance in Paris Saint-Germain is yet not explosive, however, he still managed to find the net. But looking back at his Barcelona days, Lionel Messi is such a man who finds space from the tiniest opportunities. Lionel Messi has 311 assists for all clubs and 51 assists for National Team. Messi not only made records by scoring amazing goals, but he also provided a huge number of assists to his teammates because of his playmaking abilities.
Bayern Munich's creative Maestro comes at the first spot after his contributions to both Bayern Munich and Germany. Muller has an assist count of 40 for the National Team and 243 assists in football for Bayern Munich. Not only a brilliant attacker, but The German winger can also provide crisp pinpoint passes to his teammates as well. His selflessness and his will to help his teammates out is one of his best perks, a real team player, Thomas Muller always gives his best in terms of providing assists.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona man Luis Suarez is also known for his amazing skills and goal-scoring techniques. However, the Uruguayan striker has never shied away from seeing the opportunity and finding his teammates. Suarez has 37 assists for his National team and 241 assists for all clubs combined.
The Portuguese superstar has always been the main man in any team he has represented till now, be it his national team or clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo is known as one of the best finishers of the modern era. His ability to get into a position to score goals and his amazing skills are undoubtedly one of the best. However, apart from his goal-scoring abilities, the 37-year-old can also provide much-needed assistance in time of need. For club he has amassed a total of 40 assists for Portugal and 232 assists, combining all clubs.
Another Argentine creative powerhouse, Angel Di Maria is one such name that comes to mind. The Paris Saint-Germain winger is widely known for his vision to find his teammates in the scoring places. Angel Di Maria never disappoints in terms of providing game-changing assists. For the club, Di Maria has a total of 23 assists for Argentina and 240 assists for all clubs combined.
The former German international is also known for his accurate ball delivery into the feet of his teammates. Mesut Ozil's career has been quite successful for both clubs and country. He currently plays for the Turkish side Fenerbahce. During his playing career he has amassed a total of 259 assists, both club and country combined.
The former Spanish international has enjoyed a brilliant career with both club and country. His ball-providing technique was unbelievable. During his time in Barcelona and Chelsea, Fabregas has provided countless assists and helped his team to turn the game around. He has amassed a total of 250 Assists for both clubs and country combined.
The greatest football XI as per Ronaldo Nazario: Check out the team
Explore the greatest football XI of all time, chosen by legendary striker Ronaldo Nazário. Discover his ultimate dream team, featuring football icons and unforgettable talent on the pitch.
Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario, 'the phenomenon' named some of his colleagues, footballing legends and icons among his list of the 11 best players ever. Former Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus stars are on the list.
In this special article, we explore the greatest football XI as per Ronaldo Nazario.
The greatest football XI as per Ronaldo:
Pele
Lionel Messi
Diego Maradona
Zico
Romario
Cristiano Ronaldo
Marco Van Basten
Zinedine Zidane
Luis Figo
Rivaldo
Ronaldinho
1. Pele
(Image Credit: GOAL.com)
Ronaldo Nazario grew up in Brazil in the 80s, it is not a surprise that he picked Pele. While Ronaldo Nazario was too young to watch Pele play live, his legacy is still to this day within the football world. For many Brazilians, Pele will always be the Greatest of all time.
2. Lionel Messi
Image Credit: GOAL.com
Ronaldo has often spoken highly of the Argentine forward, and it is not a surprise that he named Lionel Messi as one of the best players of all time.
Ronaldo Nazario said the following during an interview in 2020:
Messi is out of this world. He’s great. I like him much more than any other player. Everything he does is spectacular.
3. Diego Maradona
Image Credit: The Boston Globe
Ronaldo was born in 1976; he would have seen Diego Maradona in action during his development years and it is no surprise that the Argentine genius made such an impression on him. In reverse, Diego Maradona was always very complimentary of Ronaldo.
In 2018, Maradona said:
“If it were not for the injuries, Ronaldo would have been the best of all time.”
4. Zico
Image Credit: The Football Times
Zico spent the majority of his career playing in his native country for Flamengo. He enjoyed a brief spell in Europe with Udinese but only spent two years playing in Italy before he returned to Brazil.
The Former Brazilian midfielder also earned 71 caps for Brazil and scored 48 goals on the international stage. Despite never winning the World Cup, he is still considered one of the greatest players in the country’s history.
5. Romario
Image Credit: Planet Football
Ronaldo played a total of 19 games alongside Romario for Brazil and the pair combined for 12 goals during their time together.
Ronaldo told Bobo TV during an interview in 2022.
In 1997, I was an important player already. I had already won the Ballon d’Or.
During the training retreat for the Copa America, Romario suddenly told me: ‘Get ready, we go out tonight, don’t worry.’
He had prepared a ladder to climb over the hotel’s wall and there was a taxi waiting for us on the other side.
We returned at five am and I was exhausted the following day in training. I understood that Romario did it on purpose to tire me out and take my spot in the starting XI.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
Image Credit: Managing Madrid
While Ronaldo Nazario neglected Cristiano Ronaldo from his three greatest players of all time, he still names the Portuguese forward in his best XI.
Ronaldo Nazario told ESPN:
Cristiano has an incredible career; he has scored in every way possible and successfully adapted to different positions. He is undoubtedly one of the best, but not the greatest.
7. Marco Van Basten:
Image Credit: Soccer News
There can be no denying that the three-time Ballon d’Or winner ranks among the greatest players of all time. At club level, the Dutchman scored a whopping 283 goals in just 379 appearances for Ajax and AC Milan. Like Ronaldo, Van Basten had to retire his career short because of injuries.
8. Zinedine Zidane
Image Credit: Sportskeeda
During their time together at Real Madrid, Ronaldo played 139 games alongside Zinedine Zidane and the pair combined for 31 goals during that time. Considered by many to be the greatest midfielder of all time, it is no surprise that the Frenchman cuts into Ronaldo’s elite list.
9. Luis Figo
Image Credit: Barca Universal
Ronaldo shared a close bond with Luis Figo during his playing days as the pair played alongside each other at Barcelona and Real Madrid. In fact, throughout Ronaldo Nazario's career, only Iker Casillas and Roberto Carlos played more games with him than Figo played.
The former Portuguese winger won 22 trophies throughout his career and undoubtedly ranks as one of the best players of his generation.
10. Rivaldo
Image Credit: GOAL.com
Rivaldo was also recognized by Nazario as one of the best players of all time. Former Brazilian international won the Ballon d'Or in 1999. While they never played together at club level, they did make 46 appearances alongside each other when playing for the national team.
11. Ronaldinho
Image Credit: X
The last name that Ronaldo gave when naming the best players of all time was Ronaldinho. A fellow Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner, this list would feel incomplete without the legendary attacking midfielder. The pair made 39 appearances together for Brazil and won the World Cup and Copa America together.
What Salah is doing, Messi did it 13 times in his career! Here are the stats
What Mohamed Salah is doing now is what Lionel Messi has done 13 times in his career. Here are the stats of Lionel Messi's 50+ Goal Contributions in seasons, which prove his G.O.A.T status.
For his part, Mohamed Salah has been dazzling the football world with astonishing performances and record-breaking feats. Just recently, he accomplished something incredible that had fans and analysts all in madness.
The only thing more incredible about this is that Lionel Messi has reached this insane milestone 13 times in his career. This gives a sense of Messi’s consistency, of course, a level that few, if anyone could have matched, and context to Salah’s achievement. Let’s break down the stats, and how the two superstars compare.
Mohamed Salah's 2024-25 season so far:
Mohamed Salah is set to break the Premier League's all-time goal-scoring records | Image Credit: First Sportz
The Egyptian Talisman scored his 25th goal of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester City. Liverpool is at the top of the table and 11 points ahead of the second-placed Arsenal.
The Red's remarkable season has been led by Mohamed Salah, whose strike at the Etihad put his team in front and made it 25 goals for this season- six ahead of the Golden Boot contenders, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland.
Mohamed Salah's UCL 2024-25 Stats:
Matches Played: 7*
Goals: 3*
Assists: 4*
Goal Contribution: 7*
Total Attempts: 25*
Mohammed Salah's Premier League 2024-25 Stats:
Matches Played: 27*
Goals: 25*
Assists: 16*
Goal Contribution: 41*
Lionel Messi's 13 seasons with 50+ Goal Contributions:
Lionel Messi has made 50+ Goal contributions in a single season 13 times in his whole career | Image Credit: Marca
No player in football history has a better rate or more consistency in front of goal than Lionel Messi.Messi's record of 50+ goal contributions (goals + assists) in a single season 13 times, most famously his 105 Goal Contribution in 2011-12 season.
Messi has maintained the best level of performance. His ability to score and assist with such solidity across different leagues. From his early years at Barcelona to his later success, Messi’s impact on the game has been unparalleled, making him without doubt one of the greatest players to ever play the game.
The European Golden Shoe is one of the most prestigious awards in World Football and is awarded to the leading goalscorer in the top European leagues in each season. Although the ranking is based on a points system that was introduced in 1996, it never discredits the goalscoring attributes achieved by the footballers.
However, many renowned figures in world football history have achieved the Golden Shoe or Golden Boot. showcasing the legacy of this accolade.
This season's European Golden Boot race is taking shape, as leading names are eyeing to lift the Boot at the end of the season. Last season, Harry Kane won the Golden Shoe with 36 goals to his name. In the 2022-23 season, Erling Haaland won the Boot with the same number of goals.
However, there was only one instance when a footballer won the European Golden Shoe with a staggering 50 goals, a record which is still untouched.
In this article, find when was the only time a player scored 50 goals to win the European Golden Shoe.
The only time a player scored 50 goals to win the European Golden Shoe
Messi with the 2011-12 Golden Boot. (Image Credit | CNN)
It was Lionel Messi, who accumulated a staggering 50 goals in the 2011-12 Laliga to acquire the European Golden Shoe at the end of the season.
The then-FC Barcelona forward registered 50 goals in a single LaLiga season, which is still a record in the league's history for the most goals scored by a player in a season.
Messi's incredible goalscoring tally that season earned him 100 points in total, which helped him earn his second Golden Boot of his career as the first came in the 2009-10 season.
Lionel Messi was directly involved in 102 goals across all competitions in 2011/12:
Lionel Messi went on to win the Golden Shoe four more times eventually, and now he holds the record for winning the most Golden Boot awards (6), with the last one coming in the 2018-19 season.
Even Messi himself could not replicate the inhuman feat he achieved by scoring 50 goals a season. The Argentine sensation came close to the fifty-goal mark in the 2012-13 season when he won his third Golden Shoe award with 46 goals.
However, it was another superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who came the closest to the milestone. The Portuguese great scored 48 goals for Real Madrid in the 2014-15 LaLiga, eventually winning his fourth Golden Shoe award.
Since then, only Luis Suarez and Robert Lewandowski are the two Golden Shoe winners who crossed the 40-goal mark, but no one even came close to the 50-goal tally. Suarez netted 40 goals for Barcelona in the 2015-16 season, whereas Lewandowski bagged 41 goals for Bayern Munich in the 2020-21 season.
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.
Premier League Facts: Most Premier League hat-tricks By clubs
Discover the Premier League facts of most Premier League hat-tricks by clubs. Manchester City are leading the stats with 44 hat-tricks by their players so far.
Three goals in a game that staff more than 22 world-renowned players have taken to mean one thing: you use a hat trick. The Hat-trick person somehow etches his name into Premier League's history. Here is a Premier League facts to determine clubs with most hat-tricks in Premier League history.
Premier League Facts: Most Premier League hat-tricks By clubs
RANK
CLUBS
Hattricks
LAST HAT-TRICK
1
Manchester City
44
15 February 2025
2
Liverpool
42
24 October 2021
3
Arsenal
41
28 October 2021
4
Manchester United
37
16 January 2025
5
Chelsea
32
28 September 2024
6
Tottenham Hotspurs
29
2 September 2023
7
Blackburn Rovers
17
3 December 2011
8
Everton
16
19 September 2020
9
Newcastle United
15
21 September 2021
10
Aston Villa
12
30 September 2023
11
Leeds United
12
16 January 2023
Manchester City | 44
Image Credit: Indian Express.com
Manchester City sits at the top in this most Premier League hat-trick list, an achievement largely influenced by Sergio Agüero. The Argentine forward, a relentless goal-scorer, recorded 12 hat-tricks, the most by any player in Premier League history. Every time he stepped onto the pitch, defenders were on high alert- his impact was inevitable. Now, Erling Haaland continues this legacy, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess.
Liverpool | 42
Image Credit: Sky News
Liverpool boasts a rich history of goal-scoring excellence, with players such as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler, and Mohamed Salah leading the way. Suárez, in particular, had a remarkable record against Norwich City, delivering multiple hat-tricks and leaving a lasting mark on Premier League history.
With such good goal-scoring talent as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler and now Mohamed Salah, Liverpool has a tradition that is hard to beat. Especially against Norwich City, Suárez possessed a unique record: several hat-tricks over them have left their mark in the most Premier League hat-trick list.
Arsenal | 41
Image Credit: Football Fancast
Arsenal has also been a dominant force in delivering Premier League hat-tricks. The club's most frequently cited serial hat trick scorer had been Henry, followed by Van Persie and Alexis Sánchez.Henry was particularly one-of-a-kind shooting that could hit both precision and aesthetic appeal and, in any case, it screamed specific praise for the great scorer that he was.
Manchester United | 37
Image Credit: Give Me Sport
Manchester United's heritage is that small one in which Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Ruud van Nistelrooy all scored unforgettable hat-tricks. The best example of Rooney's explosive speed in front of goal happened at Emirates Stadium in August 2011 when he just gave one more fine display to cement Manchester United's grip on most Premier League hat-tricks.
Chelsea | 32
Image Credit: Talk Sport
Chelsea's success is built on legends such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard. These players not only could afford to score goals, but they were true gamblers in high-stakes contests and made sure that Chelsea remained a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League's history.
Tottenham Hotspur | 29
Image Credit: Sky Sports
There is a player who stands out above all others for Tottenham Hotspur; Harry Kane. As an English striker, he has continuously managed to find the net. Three goals in a match are routine for this young upstart and just add to an already impressive international profile.
Hat-Tricks from Historic Clubs:
Aston Villa-12 Premier League Hat-tricks:
Aston Villa, one of England's most historic clubs, has had more than its fair share of players scoring most Premier League hat-tricks.
Happy birthday, Dwight Yorke! 🎉
This strike after just 𝟭𝟮 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗦 against Coventry in 1995 is our fastest Premier League goal! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/olMsZvPnID
Striking the ball so fiercely reflects both the immense power underlying his well-timed shots and their accuracy too.
Regardless of spells spent in lower divisions, Aston Villa's long-held tradition of superior combat produces continuous effective results in front of the goal.
Leeds United-12 Premier League Hat-Tricks
Leeds United is all action, high-tempo football, and die-hard fans.
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