La Liga assists– Football matches are won by scoring goals. As the popular saying goes- ‘if you don’t shoot, you don’t score. This why at the sight of the ball at the back of the net, everyone including the media is singing the praises of the goalscorer. However, there is always that final ball, that clever pass, that pin-point cross that leads to goals and except you are Lionel Messi, not many people focus on players that assist goals.
Assists can be as important as goals in some cases. Sergio Aguero scored a very late winning goal that delivered the Premier League title to Manchester City in 2012. But it was Mario Balotelli’s last-ditch pass that unlocked a stubborn QPR defense. This is why we have decided to bring to you the best players that have excelled at the heart of providing goals in La Liga.
#10. Di Maria, Xavi, and Parejo – 49 assists
Valencia captain Parejo shares the tenth spot with Barcelona legend Xavi and former Real Madrid forward Di Maria. The trio are tied at 49 La Liga assists apiece. Di Maria left Spain in 2014 while Xavi followed suit in 2015. This means it is only a matter of time before Parejo makes the tenth spot his alone as he still plays in the Spanish League.
#9. Marcelo – 50 assists
Marcelo was a like for like replacement when he replaced Roberto Carlos in Real Madrid. He has been with Real Madrid since joined them from Fluminese in 2007 and has gone on to score 25 league goals playing as a left-back. More crucial is his attacking contribution as he has laid down 50 goals for his teammates as a defender. His time at Madrid may be coming to an end though as Zidane now prefers Ferland Mendy for the left full-back role.
#8. Markel Susaeta – 51 assists
Susaeta began his career with Athletic Bilbao in 2007 and played for them till 2019. He has since played for Gamba Osaka and is currently with Melbourne City in Australia. Osaka left the Spanish league having provided 51 goals. He also records for most European appearances by any player for the Basque club.
#7. Ivan Rakitic – 55 assists
The Croatian may be out of favor at Barcelona but the midfield maestro is still a ‘big team’ material. He arrived in La Liga from Schalke when Sevilla signed him in 2011. He was signed by Barcelona after helping Sevilla to the Europa League in 2014 and has gone on to win titles at the Camp Nou. He may well be leaving Barcelona in the summer but he currently has 55 La Liga assists to his name.
#6. Dani Alves – 59 assists
Give it up for the player who has the won more major trophies than any other footballer. Alves is reliable defensively and is also an attacking threat up front. You hardly see many full-backs like Dani these days. Like Rakitic, Barcelona signed him from Sevilla as well leaving Camp Nou after 8 trophy-laden years. Alves currently plays for Sao Paulo and has 59 assists to his name.
#5. Luis Suarez – 67 assists
It is amazing the number of league goals Luis Suarez has been involved in since his move to Barcelona in 2014. The Uruguay striker has been at his best ever form since he moved from Liverpool scoring all manner of goals from tap ins to screamers. He has 142 La Liga goals and 67 La Liga assists which puts him at 209 goal involvement in 180 league games.
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#4. Jorge Koke – 73 assists
The Atletico Madrid midfielder ranks fourth on our list of goal providers. Koke has spent his entire career with Atletico having emerged from their youth ranks. He was promoted to the first team in 2009 making his La Liga debut on 19th September of the same year. He has since gone on to play over 300 league games registering 73 assists in the process.
#3. Karim Benzema – 77 assists
Benzema was entirely selfless in the days when Cristiano Ronaldo was in Real Madrid. He’d often go out of position many times to allow the Portuguese do his thing. However, the case has been different since he moved to Juventus. Benzema has been Madrid’s go-to man for goals and he has not disappointed. He currently has 14 goals and 7 La Liga assists so far this season.
#2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 85 assists
Ronaldo left Real Madrid with as stunning goalscoring record in the league. The Portugal national team captain scored 312 La Liga goals in 292 games. That record will take some beating but Ronaldo also set up his teammates when he does not want to go it alone. He provided 85 league goals before leaving for Juventus.
#1. Lionel Messi – 150 assists
Messi tops the all-time list for goals and assists in La Liga. He has been the spine of the team for many years and the stats for the 2019/2020 season further confirm this. He has scored 19 goals this season already with 12 La Liga assists to his name as well.