These footballers scored goals as skillfully as they scored.
Lionel Messi’s support in the FIFA World Cup 2022 has become a topic of discussion. Argentina’s talisman Nahuel Molina’s brilliant assist against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals was a stroke of genius.
Messi then made a spectacular run in the semi-final against Croatia, making Croatian defenders chase shadows before putting the ball on the plate for Julián Álvarez to score. He is one of the top assist providers in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
With three assists, Messi is tied with Antoine Griezmann, Harry Kane and Bruno Fernandes for the most assists in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi and Griezmann will have another chance to clean up the race when Argentina take on France in the World Cup final. One or both of them could feature in this exclusive list of players with most assists in a single FIFA World Cup edition.
From Pele, Diego Maradona and Michael Ball to Francesco Totti, some of the world’s best footballers have topped the charts for most assists at the World Cup.
Players with the Most Assists in a Single Edition of the FIFA World Cup.
10. Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina) – 4 assists in the 2006 FIFA World Cup
Former Argentina and Barcelona midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme showed impressive form in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Although Argentina did not make it to the quarter-finals, Riquelme was outstanding in Germany with four assists. Argentina lost to Germany in the quarterfinals via penalty shootout.
9. Siegfried Held (Germany) – 4 assists at the 1966 FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup 1966 is remembered for England’s victory. Apart from England’s victory, Siegfried Held also made the tournament memorable by contributing four assists. His performance also helped West Germany reach the final. However, Germany lost 4–2 to England in extra time in the final.
8. Michael Ballack (Germany) – 4 assists in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
German legend Michael Ballack is one of the most popular faces in the world of football. In the year 2002, the FIFA World Cup was organized for the first time on Asian soil. Germany finished as runners-up in that edition, and Ballack was the reason behind the German team’s impressive run, where they lost against Brazil. He had four assistants to his name.
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7. Francesco Totti (Italy) – 4 assists at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
Italy’s legendary and most loved midfielder Francesco Totti led his team to the World Cup in 2006. Totti helped Italy win the title with four assists in the tournament as a midfielder. He was also included in the FIFA World Cup 2006 All-Star Team.
6. Juan Cuadrado (Colombia) – 4 assists at the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Colombia was one of the teams that surprised the most at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Colombia reached the quarterfinals of the tournament. James Rodríguez scored six goals in the World Cup. Apart from him, Juan Cuadrado helped Colombia by making four excellent assists.
5. Pierre Litbarski (Germany) – 5 assists in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
Germany, the 1982 World Cup runners-up, dominated the tournament until the final against Italy. Germany have scored a total of 11 goals in the tournament after upsetting Algeria in their opening game. Litbarski assisted on five of these goals. He also scored twice in the tournament.
4. Thomas Habler (Germany) – 5 assists at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
Germany scored a total of nine goals in this edition. Thomas Habler set the record books by assisting on five of those nine goals. Hebler had a stellar performance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Germany suffered a crushing defeat against Belarus in the quarter-finals.
3. Robert Gadocha (Poland) – 5 assists at the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 was Poland’s golden period at the FIFA World Cup. Poland finished third for the first time in the tournament’s history. Polish winger Robert Guducha helped Poland pull off a golden performance. Robert Guducha’s five assists is second on the list.
2. Diego Maradona (Argentina) – 5 assists in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
When we talk of big names in the world of football, the first two names that come to mind are Diego Maradona and Pele. The 1986 World Cup was the destiny of Argentina and Diego Maradona. Maradona scored five goals throughout the tournament as well as providing five assists for Argentina. He was also voted the best player of this edition.
1. Pele (Brazil) – 6 assists in the 1970 FIFA World Cup
Pele is widely regarded as one of the best football players to ever play the game. Even today many players consider themselves lucky to be compared to him. Pelé scored four goals and assisted six in the 1970 World Cup to help Brazil win their third World Cup title. Pele holds the record for most assists in a single edition of the World Cup.