Behind many of the World Cup’s memorable goals are the passes that set them up. During the 2022 tournament, Lionel Messi beat Croatia’s Joško Gvardiol in the 69th minute of the semifinal and fed Julián Álvarez for a tap-in — one of three assists for Messi as Argentina claimed the title, their first since 1986, when Diego Maradona led the team, according to ESPN.
According to ESPN, Messi and Maradona are tied for the most career assists at the FIFA World Cup since 1966, each credited with eight. Messi compiled his assists across 26 World Cup matches in five tournaments, while Maradona recorded his in 21 matches over four tournaments, ESPN reports.
Also among the leaders are two players with seven assists: Pierre Littbarski of Germany and Poland’s Grzegorz Lato, according to ESPN. Players credited with six assists include England’s David Beckham, Brazil’s Pelé, Germany’s Thomas Häßler, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Müller and Uwe Seeler, and Italy’s Francesco Totti, per ESPN.
Eight players are listed with five World Cup assists since 1966, according to ESPN: Brazil’s Zico; France’s Antoine Griezmann; Croatia’s Ivan Perišić; Germany’s Gerd Müller and Michael Ballack; Argentina’s Juan Sebastián Verón; Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado; and Poland’s Robert Gadocha.
ESPN notes that the next edition of the World Cup will be held June 11 through July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and will feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format.
