Football players from around the world strive to represent their national team, and some have excelled in both scoring goals and providing assists on the international level.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 10 players with the most international assists since the year 2000.
1. Neymar
Amidst the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar's impressive performance of 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 appearances for Brazil has established him as the figurehead of the Selecao.
This is a confirmation of his enormous talent, often overshadowed by the popularity of Messi and Ronaldo.
2. Lionel Messi
Having recently secured his 8th Ballon d'Or and World Cup victory, Messi has solidified his place in international history.
Before his latest triumph, Messi had already made a significant impact, contributing 56 assists in 178 matches for Argentina.
As the catalyst for his nation's success, Messi is expected to strive to maintain his pivotal role in future tournaments.
3. Kevin De Bruyne
Known as the assist maestro, De Bruyne has been instrumental in Erling Haaland's myriad goals at Manchester City.
Meanwhile, it has been Romelu Lukaku who has benefitted from De Bruyne's playmaking abilities on the international stage.
With an impressive 49 assists to his name, De Bruyne is destined to be remembered as one of Belgium's greatest players.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
The world-famous forward played a key role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph, both on the pitch and on the sidelines instructing his teammates during the game.
With 203 international matches under his belt, the five-time Ballon d'Or holder has 45 assists to his name.
5. Alexis Sanchez
While there is debate about his club performances, there is no doubt about his abilities, especially on the international stage where he shines.
Representing Chile in 158 matches, Sanchez has contributed 45 assists and he is no doubt the main player for the team.
6. Riyad Mahrez
Included in this batch of players is Riyad Mahrez, who shone expertly for both Manchester City and Leicester City while at the peak of his powers.
Now earning his corn at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, Mahrez can consider himself Algeria's most prolific player ever playing 87 matches with 40 assists.
7. Mesut Ozil
Ozil, who recently decided to hang up his boots was famous for his technical skills, vision, creativity, and as well as his superb passing skills.
At the international level for over nine years, Ozil holds the record for the most German National Team Player of the Year awards bagging it five times.
It’s natural to wonder a bit about the details of someone who has received so much press and is revered by so many football enthusiasts.
It's worth noting that he has represented Germany in 92 matches and contributed 40 assists.
8. Thomas Muller
The German is more known for sharing the load and offering his pinpoint passing and creative poise to set up his teammates.
Having played 125 matches, he contributed the same figure of assists with his countryman Ozil.
However, he has still managed to add 44 goals of his own to his international CV over the years and that could still increase given he has plenty more years in the tank.
9. Dusan Tadic
The Serbian professional footballer plays for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe and captains the Serbia national team.
Tadić has more than 100 caps for Serbia, having made his international debut in 2008 and registered 39 assists.
10 . Luis Suarez
Suárez is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest strikers of all time.
He has won two European Golden Shoes, an Eredivisie Golden Boot, a Premier League Golden Boot, and a Pichichi Trophy, and has scored over 500 career goals for club and country.
He shares the same number of assists with Tadic (39), having played more international matches (137) than the Serbian.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 10 players with the most international assists since the year 2000.
1. Neymar
Amidst the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar's impressive performance of 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 appearances for Brazil has established him as the figurehead of the Selecao.
This is a confirmation of his enormous talent, often overshadowed by the popularity of Messi and Ronaldo.
2. Lionel Messi
Having recently secured his 8th Ballon d'Or and World Cup victory, Messi has solidified his place in international history.
Before his latest triumph, Messi had already made a significant impact, contributing 56 assists in 178 matches for Argentina.
As the catalyst for his nation's success, Messi is expected to strive to maintain his pivotal role in future tournaments.
3. Kevin De Bruyne
Known as the assist maestro, De Bruyne has been instrumental in Erling Haaland's myriad goals at Manchester City.
Meanwhile, it has been Romelu Lukaku who has benefitted from De Bruyne's playmaking abilities on the international stage.
With an impressive 49 assists to his name, De Bruyne is destined to be remembered as one of Belgium's greatest players.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
The world-famous forward played a key role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph, both on the pitch and on the sidelines instructing his teammates during the game.
With 203 international matches under his belt, the five-time Ballon d'Or holder has 45 assists to his name.
5. Alexis Sanchez
While there is debate about his club performances, there is no doubt about his abilities, especially on the international stage where he shines.
Representing Chile in 158 matches, Sanchez has contributed 45 assists and he is no doubt the main player for the team.
6. Riyad Mahrez
Included in this batch of players is Riyad Mahrez, who shone expertly for both Manchester City and Leicester City while at the peak of his powers.
Now earning his corn at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, Mahrez can consider himself Algeria's most prolific player ever playing 87 matches with 40 assists.
7. Mesut Ozil
Ozil, who recently decided to hang up his boots was famous for his technical skills, vision, creativity, and as well as his superb passing skills.
At the international level for over nine years, Ozil holds the record for the most German National Team Player of the Year awards bagging it five times.
It’s natural to wonder a bit about the details of someone who has received so much press and is revered by so many football enthusiasts.
It's worth noting that he has represented Germany in 92 matches and contributed 40 assists.
8. Thomas Muller
The German is more known for sharing the load and offering his pinpoint passing and creative poise to set up his teammates.
Having played 125 matches, he contributed the same figure of assists with his countryman Ozil.
However, he has still managed to add 44 goals of his own to his international CV over the years and that could still increase given he has plenty more years in the tank.
9. Dusan Tadic
The Serbian professional footballer plays for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe and captains the Serbia national team.
Tadić has more than 100 caps for Serbia, having made his international debut in 2008 and registered 39 assists.
10 . Luis Suarez
Suárez is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest strikers of all time.
He has won two European Golden Shoes, an Eredivisie Golden Boot, a Premier League Golden Boot, and a Pichichi Trophy, and has scored over 500 career goals for club and country.
He shares the same number of assists with Tadic (39), having played more international matches (137) than the Serbian.