In soccer, tracking assists in a single season helps measure a player’s creativity and influence, as it is credited to the player who delivers the final pass leading directly to a goal. This statistic highlights a player’s ability to create opportunities and impact the game beyond scoring. The art of assisting goals has been mastered by some of the greatest players in football history, particularly in Europe’s top five leagues: English Premier League, Spanish LaLiga, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, and French Ligue 1.
Observing assists in a single season provides insight into players who have made the game-flow smoother, set up countless goals, and contributed significantly to their teams’ successes. Below is a list of footballers who achieved the highest number of assists in a single season at the top level of European soccer.
10. Frank Lampard
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2004-05, Premier League)
Frank Lampard was a midfield powerhouse during the 2004-05 Premier League season. Known for his intelligence, late runs into the box, and precise passing, Lampard became Chelsea’s primary creative force. His 18 assists that season were pivotal in helping Chelsea secure the league title under José Mourinho. Lampard’s ability to read the game allowed him to deliver accurate passes to forwards like Didier Drogba, often catching defenses off guard. Unlike typical playmakers, Lampard combined goal-scoring and assists, making him one of the most complete midfielders in Premier League history.
This record highlighted his consistent contribution across the season and established him as a benchmark for midfield efficiency. Lampard’s vision, stamina, and decision-making made him an exceptional provider, and the 18-assist tally reflects his dominance during that period. His legacy in Chelsea and Premier League football is closely tied to both his goals and his capacity to set up teammates. Lampard’s record of assists remains one of the iconic examples of creativity and precision in English football.
9. Lionel Messi
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2014-15, LaLiga)
Lionel Messi’s 2014-15 season with Barcelona was one of the finest displays of playmaking in modern football, particularly in terms of assists in a single season. Scoring goals is Messi’s trademark, but his ability to create opportunities for teammates is equally remarkable. With 18 assists in LaLiga, Messi showcased extraordinary vision, dribbling, and timing. His interplay with Luis Suárez and Neymar, forming the famous MSN trio, led to numerous goals, demonstrating the synergy and intelligence Messi brought to the pitch. Each assist reflected not just technical ability but also anticipation of teammate movements.
Messi’s creativity was instrumental in Barcelona winning the treble that season, including LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. His 18 assists stand as proof that even a prolific goal scorer can be a master facilitator, controlling the flow and dictating the game’s tempo while enabling others to shine.
8. Cesc Fàbregas
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2014-15, Premier League)
During the 2014-15 season, Cesc Fàbregas cemented his role as one of the Premier League’s top playmakers. Operating mainly from midfield, Fàbregas’ vision and passing accuracy allowed him to orchestrate Chelsea’s attacking moves. His 18 assists were a combination of short, intricate passes and long, defense-splitting deliveries. Fàbregas had a unique ability to find spaces where other players couldn’t, allowing his teammates to capitalize. His performance that season helped Chelsea maintain a competitive edge and demonstrated his importance in midfield beyond goal-scoring metrics.
Each assist underlined his technical precision, understanding of timing, and awareness of player positioning. Fàbregas’ contribution in assists shows that creative midfielders can dominate matches without always being in the limelight for scoring goals.
7. Mesut Özil
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2015-16, Premier League)
Mesut Özil, during the 2015-16 season, became Arsenal’s chief architect in attack. His 18 assists underline his ability to control the game through vision and calm passing. Özil’s style was characterized by precise through balls, clever movement, and the ability to unlock tightly organized defenses. Partnering with forwards like Alexis Sánchez and Olivier Giroud, he ensured that Arsenal’s attack remained unpredictable and fluid.
Despite criticism at times for his defensive contribution, Özil’s creativity was undeniable. His assists were the product of both skill and football intelligence, proving that a midfielder’s value extends beyond scoring. The 2015-16 season solidified Özil’s status as one of the most gifted playmakers in Premier League history.
Also Read:
6. Kevin De Bruyne
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2016-17, Premier League)
Kevin De Bruyne is synonymous with elite playmaking, and his 2016-17 season with Manchester City showcased why. Recording 18 assists, De Bruyne was crucial in providing attacking momentum and creating scoring chances for his teammates. His vision, range of passing, and ability to deliver both short and long balls made him nearly unstoppable.
Operating in Pep Guardiola’s fluid system, De Bruyne’s understanding of space and timing allowed him to consistently set up goals, often from positions that seemed impossible. His contribution went beyond statistics; he dictated the tempo of matches and allowed City to dominate possession and convert opportunities efficiently. De Bruyne’s record of assists in a single season remains a benchmark for playmaking excellence in modern football.
5. Thomas Müller
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2021-22, Bundesliga)
Thomas Müller has always been a player with incredible football intelligence, often referred to as a Raumdeuter, meaning “space interpreter.” In the 2021-22 Bundesliga season, Müller delivered 18 assists, helping Bayern Munich maintain their attacking dominance. Müller’s movement off the ball, understanding of defensive structures, and quick decision-making allowed him to consistently provide opportunities for his teammates.
His assists were not always flashy but extremely effective, often exploiting spaces that few players can see. Müller’s 18-assist performance that season reinforced his reputation as one of the most intelligent and efficient players in Europe, capable of producing results through reading the game rather than just raw skill.
4. Kylian Mbappé
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2021-22, Ligue 1)
While known primarily for his blistering pace and goal-scoring ability, Kylian Mbappé also made a significant impact as a creator during the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season. Providing 18 assists, Mbappé demonstrated his versatility by setting up goals for teammates, complementing his scoring prowess. His ability to take on defenders, make intelligent runs, and deliver accurate passes contributed to Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking dominance.
Each assist highlighted his understanding of timing, positioning, and teammate tendencies, proving that he is not just a finisher but a complete offensive threat. This record of assists adds another dimension to Mbappé’s profile, showcasing his growing maturity as a team-oriented player.
3. Mohamed Salah
Assists in a Single Season – 18 Assists (2024-25, Premier League)
Mohamed Salah’s 2024-25 season with Liverpool was a masterclass in balanced attacking contribution. Scoring goals and providing 18 assists, Salah proved himself as a comprehensive offensive asset. His speed, dribbling, and vision allowed him to create space for teammates and deliver precise passes into dangerous areas.
Salah’s ability to combine finishing with playmaking made him central to Liverpool’s tactical setup under the manager. The 18 assists also reflect his unselfish approach, creating opportunities for wingers, forwards, and midfielders alike. Salah’s performance demonstrates how a modern forward can influence the game in multiple ways, balancing scoring with creating for others.
2. Zvjezdan Misimović
Assists in a Single Season – 19 Assists (2008-09, Bundesliga)
Zvjezdan Misimović, though less celebrated globally, achieved an incredible feat in the 2008-09 Bundesliga season with 19 assists. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he was key to his team’s offensive fluidity. Misimović’s ability to deliver accurate crosses, through balls, and set-piece passes made him a constant threat.
His vision and precision allowed forwards to maximize scoring opportunities, proving that assist tallies can reflect the strategic intelligence of a player. Despite not always being in the global spotlight, Misimović’s record remains impressive, showing the importance of creative midfielders in team success.
1. Thomas Müller
Assists in a Single Season – 21 Assists (2019-20, Bundesliga)
Thomas Müller’s 2019-20 season is perhaps the pinnacle of assist mastery in modern football. Recording 21 assists, he set a Bundesliga benchmark and showcased his unparalleled ability to interpret space. Müller’s combination of movement, anticipation, and quick decision-making allowed him to consistently deliver high-quality passes. His assists were not limited to one style; they included intricate short passes, long crosses, and through balls that dissected opposing defenses.
Playing alongside Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry, Müller’s creative contribution was critical to Bayern Munich’s dominance in domestic and European competitions. This season highlights how understanding space, timing, and teammates can elevate a player’s influence beyond goals alone, making Müller one of the most efficient creators in football history.
FAQs
Q: What counts as an assist in football?
An assist is credited to the player who makes the final pass or play that directly leads to a goal. It measures a player’s contribution to goal creation, not just scoring.
Q: Who holds the record for the most assists in a single season?
Thomas Müller holds the record with 21 assists in the 2019-20 Bundesliga season.
Q: Are assists considered as important as goals?
Yes, assists are a key metric for playmakers, showing a player’s ability to create chances and influence the team’s attacking play.
Q: Which leagues feature most of the Assists in a Single Season?
Most of the top assist records are in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Spanish LaLiga, and Ligue 1.
Q: Can forwards also lead in assists?
Yes, forwards like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Mohamed Salah have frequently topped assist charts while also scoring goals.
Q: How is an assist different from a secondary assist?
In football, only the final pass that leads directly to a goal counts. Secondary assists are recognized in some other sports but not officially in football.
