#3 He also out-assisted every one of the nominees
![Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/d9c1f-1536127287-800.jpg 1920w)
Lionel Messi's status as one of the greatest players cum goalscorers in the history of football has long been established, however, his unique passing ability and knack for picking teammates out with his vision also ranks him as the premier playmaker in the world, and one of the greatest passers of the ball in footballing history.
He broke Figo's overall record for assists in La Liga in February last season, and took his creating to another level over the weekend, as his assists against CD Huesca made him the first player to record 150 La Liga assists in the 21st century.
He set up teammates a total of 12 times in the league last season, for a grand total of 18 in all competitions, which was four more than Mo Salah on 14, and for all of the praise about Luka Modric's playmaking abilities, he only managed to assist 8 goals, which was the same as Ronaldo did, and a whopping 10 behind Messi.
Football is by and large all about goals, and every player on the field of play is either trying to stop them from entering his/her post, trying to create them or scoring them. With none of the nominees being defenders, that first measure is rendered null, hence it is rather baffling that a player who scored more and assisted more than all three nominees was left off the FIFA shortlist.