Lionel Messi (9 assists)
Messi has moved to the top of Opta’s updated list of most assists at World Cup finals since 1966, recording nine across six tournaments. His run began with a group stage assist against Serbia in 2006, and he has set up at least one goal at every World Cup he has played.
His best return came at Qatar 2022, when he tallied three, including a memorable contribution against Croatia, running from the halfway line before teeing up Julian Alvarez. He moved above Maradona for good with his cross for Cristian Romero against Egypt at this tournament.
Diego Maradona (8 assists)
Maradona’s tally is heavily concentrated in a single tournament. At Mexico 1986, he set up all three goals in a 3-1 win over South Korea, one of only five players to record three or more assists in a single World Cup match since 1966.
His most famous assist arrived in the final itself, teeing up Jorge Burruchaga for Argentina’s winner against West Germany. He added two more assists in 1990 and one in 1994 to close out his career on eight.
Lionel Messi today went top of the assist charts at the FIFA World Cup (since 1966), overtaking a certain Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/FZQYcfW2oS
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 7, 2026
Pierre Littbarski (7 assists)
Littbarski provided five assists during West Germany’s run to the 1982 final, including a role in the Night of Seville, the famous 3-3 semi-final draw with France. He added two more assists in 1990 as West Germany won the tournament.
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Grzegorz Lato (7 assists)
Lato’s best return came in 1982, when he provided three assists in Poland’s run to the second group stage. He remains one of only five players with 10 or more goals and five or more assists at the World Cup since 1966.
Six-assist club
Ivan Perisic, David Beckham, Pele, Thomas Hassler, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and Uwe Seeler share fifth place on six assists each.
Pele’s six all came during Brazil’s victorious 1970 campaign, while Beckham is the only member of the group to register assists across three separate World Cups.
Photo: Reuters/Brett Davis
