Who Has The Most Assists In A Single Season? Top 5 Leagues

For much of its history, football has been defined by attacking prowess and defensive ability. However, one of the most underrated skills in the sport is goal creation. Players like Lionel Messi, Thomas Müller, and Kevin De Bruyne have excelled at this skill, providing world-class assists to some of the game's most iconic goals.

These players have cemented their place in football history, providing contributions that defined some of the greatest matchups. More recently, Bayern Munich's French sensation, Michael Olise, has registered a staggering 18 assists so far this season and is on track to break the Bundesliga record with 6 matches remaining. As he closes in on a new record, here is a list of players with the most assists in a single season across Europe's top 5 leagues.

Players with Most Assists in Top 5 Leagues

Certain players have cemented their status as the greatest creative playmakers the sport has ever produced. Here is the list of players with the most assists in Top 5 Leagues:

1. Thomas Müller - 21 (2019-20)

Thomas Müller has widely been considered one of the greatest German footballers. He had an illustrious career with Bayern Munich, establishing himself as a club legend. He had his career-best season in 2019/20, when he registered 21 assists, the most by any player in the top 5 leagues. Under Hansi Flick, he operated between spaces, delivering line-breaking passes to open up opposition defence. He was pivotal to the system, playing as a second striker under Flick's high pressing system. Thomas Müller managed to deliver 21 assists in 33 games, averaging an assist every 105 minutes.

2. Lionel Messi - 21 (2019/20)

As one of the greatest players of the sport, Lionel Messi has constantly dominated the playmaking charts, turning his technical output into goal contributions. One of the greatest footballers, Messi, had a career-best assist season in 2019/20. where he managed to register 21 assists. Due to significant quality gaps in the midfield during the season, the Argentine forward was forced to operate in midfield. However, he thrived at the position, constantly dropping low to build attacks. Lionel Messi also managed to score 25 goals during the season, becoming the first player in La Liga history to register 20+ goals and 20+ assists in a single season.

3. Bruno Fernandes - 21 (2025-26)

Bruno Fernandes has established himself as one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League, consistently producing elite creative numbers for Man United. His career-best season came during the 2025/26 campaign, when he broke the EPL record for the most assists in a single season with 21. Operating as the creative heartbeat of the Red Devils’ attack, the Portuguese midfielder, Bruno Fernandes, thrived in advanced midfield areas, constantly threading through balls and creating chances under pressure. His vision, quick decision-making, and ability to dictate transitions made him the focal point of the side’s attacking structure.

4. Kevin De Bruyne - 20 (2019/20)

Kevin De Bruyne is considered one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, providing phenomenal output across multiple seasons. His career-best season came during the 2019/20 campaign, with the Belgian international managing an impressive 20 assists. Regarded as a pivotal piece in Pep Guardiola-led Man City, De Bruyne thrived as an advanced playmaker.

5. Thierry Hnery - 20 (2002/03)

Thierry Henry has been regarded by fans as one of the greatest players in the league's history. Henry's career-best assists season came during the 2002/03 campaign, managing 20 assists for the side. Operating as a central forward under Arsène Wenger, Henry used his explosive pace, cutting defenders and either shooting or laying off to his teammates, contributing to Arsenal's fluid attacks. Thierry Henry also managed to score 24 goals, making him the Premier League player with the most goal contributions in a 38-game season.