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There has been a lot of debate over whether or not assists are a good metric to measure a player's performance. Sometimes it is the goalscorer who does the majority of the work but there are other times when all a striker has to do is tap the ball into the net.
So it's safe to say that it goes both ways. Chance creation is just as important a part of the game as chance conversion. That's why teams are built around playmakers and marksmen. There has never been a shortage of quality creators in football.
Naturally, they also end up registering a great number of assists as providing service to the attackers is their primary responsibility. Without further ado, let's take a look at the top six assist providers in Europe's top five leagues since the 2006-07 season.
#6 Cristiano Ronaldo and David Silva - 123 assists
Cristiano Ronaldo has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus since the 2006-07 season. He has been phenomenal for all three sides. The Portuguese international has been a prolific goalscorer ever since he established himself in the Premier League.
The thing about Cristiano Ronaldo is that he is a great creator as well. It's hard to find a player more technically refined than Ronaldo and he is excellent at picking out his teammates in dangerous areas.
Ronaldo and David Silva are currently tied on 123 assists since the 2006-07 season. Silva played a crucial role in Manchester City's rise to the top under City Football Group. At his peak, the Spanish international was a menacing presence in midfield.
He showcased incredible vision and had the passing range to complement it. Silva will go down in history as one of the Premier League's all-time greats.
#5 Angel Di Maria - 124 assists
Angel Di Maria is one of the best attackers of his generation. After playing a starring role in Real Madrid's La Decima Champions League triumph, he was unceremoniously sold to Manchester United.
Despite being called a Premier League flop in the only season he played in the English top-flight, Di Maria still conjured up 14 assists that season. That's how special a player he is. He subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain and hasn't looked back ever since.
Di Maria has 124 assists to his name since the 2006-07 season and that's only going to increase. There are hardly any players who are better at releasing their teammates into pockets of space like Di Maria.
#4 Mesut Ozil - 132 assists
During his best years at Arsenal, Mesut Ozil displayed vision and passing ability that astounded everyone. He was on a level of his own with an unsettling amount of calmness and composure whenever he had the ball at his feet.
The German engine worked well for Arsenal during that time and he won three FA Cups with the Gunners. The German international's latter years have been shrouded in controversy. But on his day, there were few players who could be as elegantly effective as Mesut Ozil.
#3 Thomas Muller - 134 assists
'Raumdeuter' or interpreter of space, Thomas Muller is one of the most intelligent footballers we have ever seen. Muller has been an iconic figure for both Germany and Bayern Munich.
Starting out usually in a wide role, Muller keeps popping up in little pockets of space in and around the final third. This helps him do two things. First of all, it makes him a great poacher. Secondly, it helps distract defenders and drag them towards him while freeing up space for a fellow attacker.
But don't be fooled into thinking Muller's strengths are limited to that. Though he might come off to the naked eye as being a bit rough around the edges, he is still a great technician. Muller is excellent at creating chances for his teammates and has 134 assists since the 2006-07 season.
In the past two seasons alone for Bayern Munich, Muller has racked up a total of 50 assists across all competitions.
#2 Cesc Fabregas - 139 assists
La Masia product Cesc Fabregas was signed by Arsenal as a 16-year-old. Fabregas made waves in the Premier League as a teenager. He was a magician at the centre of the park and started drawing comparisons with the Xavis and Iniestas pretty early on in his career.
His return to Barcelona in 2011 might not have worked out to the extent any of the parties involved would have liked. However, Fabregas still had it in him to return to the Premier League with Chelsea and lead from the front as they won two Premier League titles.
Fabregas has provided a total of 139 assists in Europe's top five leagues since the 2006-07 season.
#1 Lionel Messi - 190 assists
Lionel Messi's contributions to Barcelona might never, ever be surpassed. The Argentine international has been a cut above the rest and has been a creative force like no other for the Blaugrana.
Messi has now joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free-agent. The 34-year-old has provided 190 assists in the league since the 2006-07 season. He is arguably the greatest footballer of all time and is one of the greatest at creating chances and converting them.
