When talking about players with a great track record, records, goals, and assists, it is impossible not to mention Lionel Messi. Now, his name has once again taken center stage after the CIES Football Observatory highlighted him as the most decisive player in the world.
From a purely numerical perspective, the Argentine #10 has reached the top in goal contributions (G+A) with 59 interventions, placing him ahead of Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and even Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi is the most decisive soccer player in the world
The 536th weekly publication of the CIES Football Observatory revealed the players who have scored or assisted the most goals in matches played over the last 365 days in 67 leagues around the world.
Leading the ranking with 37 goals and 22 assists in Major League Soccer is Inter Miami captain Leo Messi. He is 17 points ahead of Harry Kane and his 35 goals and 7 assists, despite Kane having scored more goals and being in second place with 42 contributions.
Behind him is another international star, France’s Kylian Mbappé, with 41 goal contributions, including 37 goals and 4 assists.
The list also includes his teammate Luis Suárez (29 goals and 8 assists), Erling Haaland (24 goals and 7 assists), and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal with 18 goals and 11 assists, totaling 29 contributions and placing him 24 spots below Leo. For his name to appear on such a prestigious list at only 18 years old is, to say the least, admirable, as he is the youngest player in the Top 30.
As for the comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese player ranks 15th, with 31 contributions (29 goals and 2 assists).
The interesting thing about this CIES report is that it also includes a weighted index that adjusts the figures according to the competitive level, but even applying this statistical filter, Messi still tops the ranking with 66.3 points in this indicator.
Meanwhile, Leo continues his legacy at Inter Miami and prepares for the club’s next match against Nashville SC in the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup at Geodis Park.
Read the full article here
