Messi can potentially become the all-time record assist maker at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The record for providing assists in world cup history may not be as prestigious as others, such as the top scorer of all time or the most world cup appearances. In modern football, however, registering assists is just as important as scoring goals. Further, It is the deciding factor for determining the World Cup Golden Boot winner, should there be a tie. The world cup in South Africa in 2010 is an example.Â
Intense Competition
The world cup top assister of all time is a long-standing record in the world cup. However, this does not imply that it is impenetrable. Lionel Messi is one prominent name that can break it. He has provided five assists since making his debut in Germany in 2006. The Argentine talisman is not the only one who has the potential to break the record. Germany’s Thomas Muller is Messi’s biggest contender as he has even racked up six assists since 2010.
Messi Still The Favorite to Become All-Time Record Assist Maker At World Cup 2022
Nonetheless, Messi has been deemed the favorite based on his performance in the 2022/23 season as he has set up eight goals for PSG in 11 games across all competitions. The Bayern man has only contributed three assists in the same number of games. Messi’s role in Lionel Scaloni’s side is still crucial. The Albiceleste skipper seems to focus more on creating chances than scoring, whereas Muller’s form has been inconsistent lately.Â
Their assists in world cups are not exactly far behind the top five. Here are those five players on the list they both can potentially ease past later:
PeleÂ
The Brazilian legend still holds the record in providing assists so far. He made nine assists, three of which came in finals. Pele made his debut in Sweden in 1958, providing two assists, including one in the last game beating the host 5-2. The Santos man did not thrive in 1962 and 1966, although he still contributed one assist and one goal in the former, plus one goal in the latter. Subsequently, he was sidelined with injuries most of the time. However, in Mexico 1970, Pele’s form improved as he scored four and gave six assists in the competition, including a double in the final.
Diego Maradona
The Argentina hero in 1986, one of the finest players in his day, gave eight assists overall. The first five came in the 1986 edition, including the winning assist for Jorge Burruchaga’s goal in the final against Germany. He provided the remaining in the forthcoming two editions. Twice in Italy in 1990 and once in the USA in 1994. The only time Maradona did not perform well was in his World up debut in 1982. He cored a brace against Hungary in the second match in the group stage. Unfortunately, he ended the tournament by being sent off against Brazil in the second round.
Uwe Seeler
Uwe Seeler was Germany’s top forward in the late 1950s and 1960s. He featured in four world cups from 1958 to 1970. He scored nine goals in total. The seller turned out to be good at assisting too. The former Hamburg man racked up seven assists in the world cup final rounds. The first two were made in Sweden in 1958, whereas the rest of them came in his last two world cups, England 1966 and Mexico 1970.Â
Gregorz Lato
Lato was the leading top scorer in World Cup 1974 and the significant player during Poland’s golden era from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. He helped his country to finish third in 1974 and 1982. In terms of assist-making, he gave seven assists in three consecutive world cup editions, from 1974 to 1982.
Pierre Littbarski
A versatile German player on the list was a member of the world cup squad in 1982, 1986, and 1990. Littbarski could play as a left wing-back, frontman, or attacking midfielder in Die Mannschaft’s 3-5-2 formation. In the world cup, he contributed three goals and seven assists. The first five were set up in Spain in 1982 while the last two came in a single game against UEA in Italy in 1990.