Messi hits 400 assists — Top 5 assist makers of all time and Ronaldo isn’t there

Lionel Messi continues to rewrite football history. The Argentine superstar recorded his 400th career assist across club and international competitions as Inter Miami cruised to a 4–0 win against Nashville in the MLS play offs. Messi was at his brilliant best, scoring twice and setting up one more to guide Miami into the semi finals.

With 894 goals and 400 assists combined from his club and national team career, Messi remains unmatched among active players. His creative genius and longevity have kept him at the top for nearly two decades.

Below are the top five assist makers of all time and how Messi compares.

5. Thomas Muller – 352 assists (Germany)

An ever present figure in Bayern Munich’s dominance, Muller has quietly amassed one of the most impressive creative records in modern football. His unique movement and understanding of space, famously called the Raumdeuter or interpreter of space, have made him an assist machine. The man who is playing his football in MLS now is a classy underrated footballer.

4. Johan Cruyff – 358 assists (Netherlands)

The Dutch master transformed football with his intelligence and flair. At Ajax and Barcelona, Johan Cruyff’s vision and ability to read the game redefined how football was played. He was not only a playmaker but a philosopher on the pitch, always two steps ahead, creating space where none seemed to exist. His understanding of movement, positioning and teamwork gave birth to the revolutionary concept of total football, a style that inspired generations and continues to shape the modern game.

3. Pele – 369 assists (Brazil)

The Brazilian icon was not just about goals. Pele’s creativity and selflessness defined Santos’ golden era and Brazil’s dominance in the 1960s. Though many of his assists predate modern record keeping, there is no doubt he ranks among the most complete forwards ever. He is often regarded as the GOAT by many.

2. Lionel Messi – 400 assists (Argentina)

From Barcelona to Paris to Miami, Messi’s vision and precision have been unmatched. Whether it is a defence splitting pass, a one two at the edge of the box, or a curling cross to a teammate, he has turned the art of assisting into an extension of scoring. He is the only active player to have reached the 400 mark and he is still adding to it. Another who has been recognized as the GOAT by many.

1. Ferenc Puskas – 404 assists (Hungary)

A legend of the 1950s and 60s, Puskas is remembered as one of football’s greatest finishers and creators. While statistics from that era are often debated, most records credit him with 404 assists, a mark Messi is now just four away from surpassing. Given the consistency shown by the little magician even at the age of 38, the record may soon belong to the Argentine.

The complete player

Messi’s milestone further cements his status as the most complete attacker in football history. From goals and assists to dribbles and playmaking, he dominates every attacking metric. The chase to surpass Puskas is more than just a statistical pursuit. It is another chapter in the story of a player who has redefined greatness.

What a player. What a career. And the story is not finished yet.