List of most assists in international history emerges as surprise name comes out on top

A list of players with the most assists in international history has emerged and a surprise name comes out on top, beating the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Assists are a key component of many players' game, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Mesut Ozil having made a living off setting up their teammates to score.

There is plenty of debate over who is the best goalscorer, with Cristiano Ronaldo currently holding the record for the most goals in international history, having found the net 123 times for Portugal.

But perhaps we should pay more attention to the players setting up the goals. So without further ado, here is the list of the top 10 players with the most assists in International history.

Surprisingly, former USMNT attacking-midfielder Landon Donavan heads the list with a hugely impressive 58 assists to his name.

The former Everton playmaker enjoyed a successful 14-year international career in which he also notched 57 goals for his club, the joint-highest scorer for his country alongside Clint Dempsey.

Opta

Up next is former Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain winger Neymar, who currently plies his trade for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

Despite being known for his dazzling solo runs, the 31-year-old has regularly turned provider for Brazil, raking up 56 assists over his career.

Ferenc Puskas, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, rounds off the top three with an estimated 53 assists.

The Hungarian also scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for his country, making him one of the most successful international players in history.

Getty

Lionel Messi is joint-third with Puskas, with the seven time ballon d'Or winner showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 36.

Sandor Kocsis, another Hungarian superstar from the 1950s take up fourth place, with an estimated 50 assists. While he notched 75 goals in 68 international appearances.

Pele is up next with an estimated 47 assists, with Kevin De Bruyne (45), Mesut Ozil (40), David Beckham (36) and Cristiano Ronaldo (33) completing the top 10.

Topics: Lionel Messi, Neymar, David Beckham, Pele, Kevin De Bruyne, Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno