Argentine Icons Messi and Maradona Lead All-Time World Cup Assists Chart

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears its conclusion, attention turns to the players who have left an indelible mark on the tournament's history, particularly those leading in assists.

Argentina's football legends Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona stand atop the all-time list for assists in World Cup history, each with an impressive eight assists. Messi recorded his most recent assist during the 2022 tournament, setting up Julián Álvarez in the semifinal match against Croatia, a crucial step in Argentina's eventual triumph and Messi's Golden Ball award.

While Messi accumulated his tally over 26 matches across five tournaments, Maradona reached the same milestone in fewer appearances, 21 matches over four tournaments. Maradona's final World Cup assist was for Claudio Caniggia in 1994, securing a victory against Nigeria.

The article also acknowledges other notable players with high assist counts, including Germany's Pierre Littbarski and Poland's Grzegorz Lato with seven assists. Several other stars from various nations follow with six and five assists, showcasing a rich history of playmaking in the World Cup. The ongoing 2026 tournament provides a stage for current stars to potentially challenge these historic records.