10 best footballers in the world by assists this season

#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Messi in action last weekend during Barca's slender win vs. Valladolid

Last but certainly not least, Lionel Messi tops this list! Messi is Barcelona's creative fulcrum and he has stepped up when they've needed him most - 22 goals and 10 assists in La Liga alone this term speaks volumes for his impressive numbers.

With 30 goals and 15 assists in 31 matches (all comps), it's a remarkable tally for someone who hasn't always been at his best either this season. He broke his arm during their 4-2 win over Sevilla in October, missed two league games before returning as they surprisingly lost 4-3 to Real Betis.

Recent thigh and leg injuries have been a cause for concern, with manager Ernesto Valverde publicly revealing he'd lessen the Argentine's workload as important upcoming fixtures have to be efficiently managed.

Messi has shown excellent bursts of his spell-binding best and even still, not always lived up to his own extremely high standards as part of a misfiring frontline with Luis Suarez's struggles and Ousmane Dembele's inconsistency a recurring theme.

Despite his last registered assist coming during Barca's 3-1 win over Leganes on January 20, he claims the top spot here with 10 assists in 1,797 minutes of league play. Even with that in mind, he has created 70 chances -league-highigh - in that time for teammates or himself in Spain's top-flight.

Stats' source: WhoScored and beIN Sports