The UEFA Champions League 10 greatest playmakers list contain some of the greatest talents to ever grace the competition, and it highlights the importance of those who create the goals as much as those who score them.

Assists are sometimes a key measure of a player's vision, intelligence, and influence on the game. Yet, in other instances, it may be overemphasized, because simple or intended passes could lead to assists.

However, not to take anything away from the creator in Chiefs, the same narrative surrounds goalscoring as some goals may be cheaper when compared to others.

Some of the greatest footballers in history have cemented their legacy in the competition by consistently setting up teammates for goals.

This ranking highlights the top 10 players with the most assists in UCL history, and it features legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who still retains the crown as the greatest playmaker in the history of the competition, adding to his goal record and others.

Angel Di Maria, Ryan Giggs, Lionel Messi, and Xavi Hernandez all also rank high on a list of ten, that features seven players, who have at a time represented a LaLiga team.

Each of these players has left an indelible mark on the competition, showcasing their ability to set up their teammates through different ways like crosses, through balls, set-pieces, and other legal means.

From Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's all-around attacking brilliance to Ryan Giggs' longevity, we explore the numbers and recognize the names in the all-time top 10 assist makers in UEFA Champions League history.

Ranking the 10 Players with the Most Assists in UCL History

8. Karim Benzema: 29 assists

Karim Benzema started at Lyon, but moved to Real Madrid at a very young age, and went on to become one of the best No.9s in the competition, but his unselfish play earned him a status as joint eight in the all-time list for most assists in the UEFA Champions League history.

He boasts 29 assists, most of them coming in the colors of Real Madrid, with whom he won his five titles before departing at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

8. Andres Iniesta: 29 assists

The Spanish midfielder is one of the few one club player on the list as all of his 29 UEFA Champions League assists came in the colours of FC Barcelona.

Regarded as one of the best midfielders of this generation, Iniesta also enjoyed success in the competition with his boyhood club, winning four titles between 2006 and 2015.

8. Kevin de Bruyne: 29 assists

Kevin de Bruyne has also assisted 29 UEFA Champions League goals, mostly in the colours of Manchester City, playing a vital role in their first-ever title in the competition in 2022/23.

Although the Belgian represented Chelsea and Genk in the competition, all his assists came in the colours of Manchester City.

6. Xavi Hernandez: 30 assists

Xavi Hernández, the legendary Barcelona midfielder, renowned for his exceptional playmaking abilities is joint sixth in the UEFA Champions League all-time assist maker list.

Throughout his illustrious career with his boyhood club, Xavi amassed 30 assists in the competition, placing him among the top assist providers in UCL history. He also won four titles, all with the Blaugrana.

His ability to dictate the tempo of play and create scoring opportunities for his teammates solidified his legacy as one of football's greatest midfield maestros.

6. Thomas Muller: 30 assists

Bayern Munich's Mr Consistency, Thomas Müller also features in the top ten list, and is the only player to represent a Bundesliga team in our top ten selection.

Muller established himself among Europe's elite playmakers, ranking sixth in UEFA Champions League assists with 30 to his name, all for the Bavarians.

His exceptional positioning and awareness have been instrumental in Bayern Munich's consistent success on the European stage, winning two titles in 2013 and 2020.

His unique playing style, often described as that of a "Raumdeuter" or "space interpreter," allows him to exploit defensive gaps, creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. Müller's blend of tactical intelligence and unselfish play continues to be useful for Bayern, even in the latter stages of his career.

5. Ryan Giggs: 31 assists

Ryan Giggs ranks fifth in the UEFA Champions League's all-time leading assist provider list, with 31 assists during his 20-year career with his only club, Manchester United.

His longevity was instrumental in earning this recognition, and he was crucial in United's European successes, including their 1999 and 2008 Champions League triumphs.

Notably, Giggs is among the few players to have assisted four goals in a single Champions League match, achieving this feat in a 7-1 victory over AS Roma in 2007. 

4. Neymar Jr: 33 assists 

Neymar Jr, during his time at Barcelona and then PSG Paris Saint-Germain established for himself a legacy as one of the UEFA Champions League's best assisters, and he currently rank fourth in all-time list with 33.

His creative prowess was notably highlighted during the 2016-17 season, when he equaled the record for the most assists in a single Champions League campaign, providing seven assists.

Beyond his playmaking abilities, Neymar has also made his mark as a goal scorer, becoming the highest-scoring Brazilian in Champions League history with 31 goals. 

3. Lionel Messi: 40 assists

Lionel Messi, second all-time goalscorer in the competition also cemented his pedigree as one of the premier playmakers in the competition, ranking third in all-time assists with 40 in 163 appearances.

The remarkable tally underscores his dual threat as both a prolific goal scorer and a creative force, reflecting his exceptional vision and technical prowess.

Messi, who spent most of his time with Barcelona before moving to PSG for two seasons showcased the ability to orchestrate play, which was been instrumental in his teams' successes.

He was the deadliest in his teams, contributing significantly to Barcelona's dominance in European football and winning four titles.

2. Angel Di Maria: 41 assists

Ángel Di María has established himself as one of the premier playmakers in UEFA Champions League history, currently ranking second with 41 assists, just one behind the all-time record.

His versatility and vision have been instrumental in the teams he has represented in the competition, from Real Madrid to Juventus, PSG, and Benfica, contributing to Real Madrid's successes on the European stage in 2014.

Di María continues to defy age-related expectations. His recent performances for Benfica have been exceptional, including a standout display against Monaco in November 2024, where he added two more to his total.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: 42 assists

Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy in the UEFA Champions League is often highlighted by his record 140 goals. However, his playmaking prowess is equally remarkable, as he holds the record for the most assists in the competition's history, with 42 assists over 183 appearances.

His assist record spans three major clubs: Manchester United, where he debuted and won his first title in the competition, Real Madrid, where he won four titles and registered majority of his goals and assists, and then Juventus.

His ability to adapt to different playing styles and competitions have been huge assets, while his longevity and remarkable fitness also helped over the course of his career in the competition.

Holding the record for both goals and assists in the UCL, Ronaldo exemplifies the archetype of a complete forward. His contributions have been pivotal in securing five UCL titles, cementing his status as one of the game's all-time greats.