'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#7 Xavi- 230 assists
Arguably the best central midfielder of the 21st century and part of the best international team since the turn of the millenium, Xavi's presence on this list could be done with quite soon but his presence in the hall of fame shall be eternal.
Trending
Such is his legacy that you couldn't fathom any side dominating oppositions just as well as a team without Xavi in central midfield. The Spanish maestro racked up 22 assists in the 2008/09 season for Barcelona and it is a record that hasn't been broken till now.
Currently the manager of Qatar Stars League team Al Sadd, Xavi's dream is to return to Barcelona as the head coach of the Cules. He registered a whopping 91% pass accuracy rate at the 2010 World Cup that Spain won and was named in the World Cup all-star team.
He is also the first player to set up a goal each in two consecutive Euro Cup finals. A product of the famed La Masia academy, he has played a club record 700 games for Barcelona and is the recipient of IFHSS World Best Playmaker award 4 times- in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
#6 Cesc Fabregas- 234 assists
Yet another product of La Masia and a constant presence in a couple of the most entertaining sides in world football, Cesc Fabregas was an assist machine over the course of his career where he represented clubs like Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea.
Fabregas has racked up more than 10 assists in 9 seasons and even registered 19 assists in a single season for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side that won the Premier League in the 2014/15 season.
Though his much awaited return to Barcelona did not exactly meet the heights expected, he still had a memorable time at the club and there is no denying that he has had a stellar career.
Fabregas was also the player that assisted Iniesta's World Cup final goal against Netherlands, which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides on the night.
#5 Angel Di Maria- 235 assists
Why Angel Di Maria, perhaps Real Madrid's best player in the 2013/14 season was sold to Manchester United in the summer doesn't make much sense in any respect except the economical one. After initially thriving in the Premier League, the Argentine international seemed to have lost his mojo and exited Manchester United the following summer.
Even in that season, Di Maria picked up 11 assists from 27. Subsequently, it didn't take him much time to gain his mojo back after finding his feet in Ligue 1 playing alongside some of the world's finest players at Paris Saint-Germain.
Di Maria is an exceptional player who has transitioned to a more centrally attacking role in the later years after being a menacing presence in the wing in the early part of his career. He has scored 8 goals and set up 14 this season in Ligue 1 for the French champions.
#4 Mesut Ozil- 253 assists
The Ozil assisting memes couldn't possibly have missed any football enthusiasts in the era of social media. Yet another regret of Real Madrid's, Ozil was forced to call it a day on his burgeoning Real Madrid career due to some baffling top level management decisions.
One man's loss is another man's gain and it was Premier League club Arsenal that benefited from providing a nest for one of the best playmakers of this generation. The 31-year-old German World Cup winner is one of the best attacking midfielders of the 21st century and his stats are a testament to that.
Though he has faded of late, Ozil has had an outstanding career. His assist rate of 0.39 is the best among all the other players who have made it to this list.
