New Delhi: When Benfica midfielder Angel Di María provided an assist in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Monaco, he etched his name deeper into the history books of the UEFA Champions League. The 36-year-old has now surpassed his Argentine teammate Lionel Messi to become the competition’s second all-time assist provider. Di Maria’s tally of 41 assists places him just one behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads the chart with 42.
Currently in red-hot form, Di Maria has scored five goals and delivered three assists in his last three games for Benfica underlining his importance to the team as he chases yet another record.
Despite the fact that goals win games let’s check out the list of players along with Maria who are leading the standings (all stats via UEFA):
Ryan Giggs – 31
Ryan Giggs (Image via @RyanGiggs_cc ‘X’)
Ryan Giggs was the best midfielder of his era and is recognized as one of the best players in Manchester United’s history. The Welsh legend is one of the few players who have played for one club. He made his debut for Man United in 1991. In his glittering 24-year career Giggs led the Red Devils to incredible success in England and Europe until 2014.
In the Champions League, he contributed 31 assists for United. He helped his club win two Champions League titles and 13 Premier League titles. Giggs also holds the record of scoring in 16 straight Champions League seasons.
Neymar – 33
Neymar Jr (Photo Credit: @FabrizioRomano ‘X’)
Neymar Jr. is the highest-scoring Brazilian in the UEFA Champions League and is also the all-time top goalscorer for Brazil with 79 goals in 128 appearances. In the UEFA Champions League, Neymar has been a standout performer providing 33 assists for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He has showcased his brilliance on the biggest stage marking the best while playing with Barcelona when he scored multiple times. He won the title once with Barcelona in 2015 which was his last season with the club.
While injuries have blighted his career at PSG he made a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal marking the most expensive purchase in the League. Returning from the injury Neymar is making a comeback and still remains a highly influential figure in the world of football captivating fans with his extraordinary talent and showmanship.
Lionel Messi – 40
Lionel Messi (Photo credit: Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and holds an incredible legacy in Europe’s top competition. While playing for his boyhood club Barcelona he won four Champions League title. The Argentine maestro has the most Man of the Match awards to his name in the UCL since 2009, having won it on a whopping 67 occasions in 130 appearances.
While playing for Barca and Paris Saint-Germain he racked up 40 assists. Messi is no longer in Europe and currently plays for MLS side club Inter Miami. The Argentine is second only to Ronaldo in terms of goals scored as well, having netted 125 goals in 155 games. He alongside forward Karim Benzema holds the record of scoring in 17 straight games.
Angel Di Maria – 41
Angel Di Maria (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
The Argentine hero is one of the most prolific players to have ever graced the field. The 2024 Copa America and 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has represented Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, accumulating 41 assists to surpass Lionel Messi and secure the second spot in the all-time assists chart.
The 36-year-old lifted the Champions League trophy in 2014 while playing for Real Madrid. That season, he recorded five assists and three goals, playing a key role in the team’s success. His best season in the competition came with Paris Saint-Germain during the 2019-20 campaign when he contributed three goals and seven assists, performances instrumental in helping PSG reach the final.
Defying age like a fine wine, Di María continues to impress at 36. With four appearances, a goal, and consistent creativity for Benfica this season, he is showing no signs of slowing down. It seems only a matter of time before he becomes the all-time leader in the Champions League assist charts.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 42
Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo is regarded as the greatest player in the history of the Champions League. The Portuguese talisman is at the top of all charts in the league be it appearances, goals, or assists. In UCL he played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He won the title five times once with Man United and four times with Madrid.
The 39-year-old also ended up as the top goalscorer in the competition having scored 140 goals in 183 appearances. While his goalscoring game was on point, his playmaking wasn’t far behind either. He remains at the top of the assist charts with 42 in total. Just like his arch-rival Messi, he is far away from European football after his transfer to Saudi club Al-Nassr.
Discover the top 5 players with the most assists in UEFA Champions League history including legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Angel Di Maria. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
