Who has the most assists in Champions League history? The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League (UCL) kicks off on Tuesday, with football fans around the world intrigued to see how the new format plays out.
There have been plenty of world-class stars to grace the pitch on those famous European nights, as we count down the top 10 players with the most assists in UCL history.
Feel free to check out who has the most yellow cards in Champions League history as well…
Most assists in Champions League history – the top 10
10. Thomas Muller – 29
Kicking off the list is someone who is still playing in the UCL in Thomas Muller. The Bayern Munich veteran has won the competition twice with his current club in the 2012/13 and 2019/20 seasons, and given that Bayern did not win any major silverware in the last campaign, Muller and co will be looking to put that right in this one, as they target a third UCL title with Muller.
9. Kevin De Bruyne – 29
Another star who is still playing in the competition is Manchester City and Belgium international midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who boasts the same number of assists as Muller. He was part of the Cityzens' treble-winning side of the 2022/23 term, and is still regarded as one of, if not the best midfielder in the world today.
8. Andres Iniesta – 29
Another midfielder makes the list and it is one of the most decorated in history in Andres Iniesta. The Spaniard won no fewer than four UCL titles with FC Barcelona, and will go down as one of the all-time greats of the competition.
7. Karim Benzema – 29
Recording the same number of assists as his predecessors on this list, Karim Benzema is also a true UCL great, with five to his name with Real Madrid including three in a row between 2015 and 2018. The French striker now plays in the Saudi Pro League with Al Ittihad, and will no doubt be missed on UCL nights.
6. Xavi Hernandez – 30
Iniesta's former partner in crime for club and country comes sixth in the list with just one more assist in the UCL for him – the great Xavi Hernandez. The ex-midfielder has four UCL titles to his name, and one day he could lead another team to glory as a manager.
5. Ryan Giggs – 31
Entering the top five is former Manchester United and Wales winger Ryan Giggs, who won the UCL twice as a player. One was in the Red Devils' famous treble-winning season of 1998/99, and the other was in an all-English UCL final against Chelsea in the 2007/08 campaign.
4. Neymar – 33
Neymar is fourth on the list with 33 assists to his name in the UCL. He only won one title during his time at Barcelona. Unfortunately, the Brazilian could not bring the coveted trophy to Paris Saint-Germain before moving to the Saudi Pro League to play for Al Hilal.
3. Angel Di Maria – 39
There is a relatively big jump to the third-highest number of assists in the UCL in 39, which is where we find Argentine winger Angel Di Maria. He played for many European heavyweights including Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, but only won one UCL title with the latter in the 2014/15 campaign.
2. Lionel Messi – 40
It is not a surprise to see who props up in second place on this list as Lionel Messi has recorded the second-most assists in UCL history with 40. The little Argentine magician won four UCL titles during his time at Barcelona, but unfortunately, he could not win one while playing for Paris Saint-Germain.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 42
No prizes for guessing who has recorded the most assists in UCL history – it is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar has broken so many other records in the competition, and this is just one of them.
Indeed, Ronaldo has won the UCL five times, and is the only player on this list to do so with two different clubs. He has won the UCL four times with Real Madrid, and once with Manchester United.
