🥇 CR7 not even in the top 10, Messi sets incredible all-time record | OneFootball

Yesterday, his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace. Of course, Lionel Messi couldn’t resist making his own statement in the GOAT debate once again.

In the 6-0 thrashing of Puerto Rico, the superstar contributed two assists, making him the all-time top assist provider in international matches. Time to take a look at the rankings—especially the second place might surprise some.

10th Place: Carlos Valderrama (40)

We’re starting off with a legend. The Colombian with the distinctive mane was a top-class playmaker in the 1980s and 1990s—and, like Messi, played in the MLS towards the end of his career.

📸 Doug Pensinger

9th Place: Pelé (40)

The Brazilian icon primarily knew exactly where the goal was. But if the way was blocked even for him, he also knew where a teammate ready to score was positioned.

8th Place: James Rodriguez (41)

The former Bayern star is the first on this list who could still improve his position—and is working on it. He won with Colombia on Sunday, 4-0 against Mexico, providing two assists.

7th Place: Akram Afif (44)

Relatively unknown in Europe, but a big star in his native Qatar. The 28-year-old has been hunting for goals in 122 international matches so far. Yesterday, he celebrated a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates. Provider for both goals? Of course, Akram Afif.

📸 Robert Cianflone - 2024 Getty Images

6th Place: Kevin de Bruyne (49)

If his last name were to eventually become the Flemish word for “assist,” protests would probably be limited.

5th Place: Sándor Kocsis (51)

We travel back to the golden age of Hungarian football. In the early 1950s, the Magyars were the benchmark for everyone, partly because they had one of the best strikers of his time in Kocsis.

4th Place: Ferenc Puskás (53)

Kocsis was surpassed, even in this ranking, only by Ferenc Puskás. The “Major” led the team, including in assists.

📸 Alex Livesey - 2009 Getty Images

3rd Place: Landon Donovan (58)

Landon Donovan secures a spot on the podium. The American is not only his country’s record assist provider but also the record goal scorer (57 goals). For the latter, however, he has to share the top spot with Clint Dempsey.

2nd Place: Neymar (58)

From the top spot, Neymar has been displaced by a rather surprising candidate, as he is usually the one scoring goals himself. Recently, however, he hasn’t been able to showcase his qualities for the Brazilian national team. The 33-year-old played his last international match on October 18, 2023.

1st Place: Lionel Messi (59)

As announced, the Argentine superstar has been the best in this category since last night. And the next magical number is already within reach: La Pulga needs just three more assists to reach 400 in his entire career!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Carmen Mandato - 2025 Getty Images