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Top 5 players with the highest number of assists in FIFA World Cup

Since its beginning in 1930, the best footballing spectacle in the world has managed to surpass international borders, uniting countries with their love for soccer and voters in the colours of their nation. The four-year gap usually feels stretched, however, there’s an inherent charm related to that wait, that adds to the grand occasion that’s the FIFA tournament.

It’s a tournament that celebrates the glorious game, a stage where minnows and giants fight as equals. Every match of football is a story that comes alive in those 90 minutes. Each player pushes himself to the extremes to make his country proud and reach the pinnacle. However, much like life, few players shine and create their legacy while others fade away to oblivion. Read on to discover the top five players who’ve acted like magicians to achieve the highest number of assists in the FIFA world cup.

Highest number of assists:

1. Pele ( 10 assists)

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, more widely known ad Pelé, was born in Brazil. The former skilled footballer owned the field as a forward. Considered to be one of the best of all time (labelled “the greatest” by FIFA), he was among the most booming and wanted sports figures of the twentieth century.

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The record for maximum assists in the World Cup record belongs to Pele. He played four World Cups and racked up ten assists. The Brazilian managed 3 assists in his 1st 3 World Cup appearances (1958, 1962 and 1966). However, Pele unleashed a masterclass in 1970, firing seven goals, as Brazil went on to win the tournament. Incidentally, that’s the maximum number of assists provided by a player during a single World Cup by a player so far. The Brazilian additionally has 3 assists within the World Cup final, in 1958 and 1970, which is another record that has not been broken so far.

2. Lionel Messi (6 assists)

Lionel Andrés Messi, the Argentine player who has taken over the world, casts his charm as a game maker. He is the captain of the Spanish club, Barcelona, and the Argentine national team. Conquering the title of – 6x winner Ballon d’Or, 1x the best FIFA men’s player, 3x UEFA best player in Europe, 3x FIFA club world cup winner and several others, he resides in the souls of millions.

The statistics of Messi’s spectacular assists were made, time and again, in Russia World Cup 2018, Brazil World Cup 2014, South Africa World Cup 2010 and Germany World Cup 2006.

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3. James Rodriquez (5 assists)

James David Rodríguez Rubio, a Colombian by birth, plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for the Colombian national team and also the Premier League club Everton.

At the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez was a force to be reckoned with for the Republic of Colombia, bagging six goals in five matches to win the Golden Boot. In 2018, he created a brand new highlight reel due to his beautiful assists – allowing his teammates to fire home spectacular netters.

His majestic pass in the game, on a casual Sunday in 2008, against Poland, left everyone awestruck. Colombia had a 2-0 lead in the must-win match, and when the timer struck the seventy-fifth minute, Rodriguez did the impossible and tripled their lead. Sprinting up the left side of the battlefield, Rodriguez spun an incredible pass around 3 closing defenders to seek out his compatriot, Juan Cuadrado, as he crossed through center. Cuadrado received the ball and hit the bull’s eye confidently to increase Colombia’s lead. It was undoubtedly one of the best passes of the tournament.

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4. Juan Cuadrado ( 5 assists)

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado Bello, born in Columbia, plays for Juventus and the Colombian national team. He is noted for his direct form of play, added upon his pace and his skills in dribbling.

His imposing form in the preceding World Cup has helped him to gain traction with time and his brilliant game-making ability has made him stand out with 5 spectacular assists to date.

5. Thomas Muller (4 assists)

Thomas Müller , born in Weilheim in Oberbayern, Germany, represents Bayern Munich in Bundesliga.
He is sought after for his positioning, work rate, cooperation, stamina, and has shown some awe-inspiring consistency over the years. The right-footed player, presently, is one of the most versatile players within the German squad.

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He portrays his talents as a midfielder, a withdrawal striker, a center forward and an adept winger. When Thomas Mueller scored the opening goal in Germany’s surprising 7-1 victory against Brazil in the semi-finals of the World Cup 2014, he rose to the position of the second player to attain 5 goals in succeeding World Cups. Mueller scored his 1st tournament goal in his 1st match itself in the 2010 tournament held in South Africa.

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