Who has created the most assists in World Cup history? Top 10 revealed including Pele and David Beckham
THE top scorers at the World Cup are revered by football fans around the world.
But very few would be able to rattle off the best playmakers in World Cup history.
That is what SunSport is looking at here as we list the top 10 assist-makers to have played in the tournament.
Here they are…
10) ROBERT GADOCHA – 5
Not a household name by any means, but former Polish winger Robert Gadocha assisted five goals during the 1974 World Cup.
He did not score at the tournament but was an inspirational playmaker as Poland finished third, beating Argentina, Italy and Brazil on their route there.
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9) BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER – 6
Bastian Schweinsteiger was a member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning side and went to three tournaments with his country.
He was always a creative presence in the German midfield and managed six assists at the world’s most famous football tournament.
8) THOMAS MULLER – 6
The only active player in the list, Germany’s Thomas Muller could break the record in Qatar this summer if he assists three or more goals for Hansi Flick’s side.
Along with his eight World Cup goals, the Bayern Munich star has contributed six assists across his three tournaments to date.
7) PELE – 6
Arguably the most famous World Cup player in history and the only player to lift the trophy three times – in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Pele scored 12 goals at the World Cup and also managed an impressive six assists in the four tournaments he went to.
6) THOMAS HASSLER – 6
In Thomas Hassler’s 14 games at the World Cup, the German managed a superb six assists.
He went to three tournaments, lifting the trophy with the country in his first visit to the World Cup in 1990.
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5) DAVID BECKHAM – 6
David Beckham is the only Englishman to make the top 10.
He went to three World Cups with the Three Lions – in 1998, 2002 and 2006 – racking up six assists in the process.
4) FRANCESCO TOTTI – 6
Francesco Totti was a generational talent in Italian football and showed that on the grandest stage.
He went to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, contributing six assists and lifting the trophy in his final visit to the competition.
3) GRZEGORZ LATO – 7
Grzegorz Lato is another name younger people may not be familiar with, but only one player in World Cup history has more assists than the former Poland international.
He went to the 1974, 1978 and 1982 tournaments, registering seven assists and picking up two third place finishes.
2) PIERRE LITTBARSKI – 7
The most prolific German assist-maker in World Cup history is Pierre Littbarski.
The former attacking midfielder went to the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cups, contributing seven assists and lifting the trophy on one occasion.
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1) DIEGO MARADONA – 8
The great Diego Maradona holds the record for the most assists at the World Cup.
The Argentine legend racked up eight in total – five of which came on his way to lifting the trophy in 1986.