WWhen talking about players with great achievements, records, goals and assists, it is impossible not to mention Lionel Messi. Now his name is in the spotlight again after the CIES Football Observatory highlighted him as the most decisive player in the world.
From a purely numerical point of view, the Argentine No. 10 reached the top in goal contribution (G+A) with 59 interventions, surpassing Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbapp and even Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi is the most decisive soccer player in the world
The 536th weekly edition of the CIES Football Observatory reveals the players who have scored or assisted the most goals in the past 365 days in 67 leagues around the world.
Leo Messi, captain of Inter Miami, leads the rankings with 37 goals and 22 assists in Major League Soccer. He is 17 points ahead of Harry Kane’s 35 goals and 7 assists, even though Kane has scored more goals and is second with 42 contributions.
Behind him is another international star, France’s Kylian Mbapp, who has contributed 41 goals, including 37 goals and four assists.
The list also includes teammates Luis Surez (29 goals and 8 assists), Erling Haaland (24 goals and 7 assists), and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who scored 18 goals and 11 assists, placing him 24th below Leo with a total of 29 contributions. To be named to such a prestigious list at just 18 years old is an honor to say the least. Because he is the youngest player in the top 30.
In comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese player ranks 15th with 31 contributions (29 goals and 2 assists).
What’s interesting about this CIES report is that it also includes a weighted index that adjusts the numbers depending on the level of competition, but even with this statistical filter, Messi still tops the ranking with 66.3 points in this index.
Meanwhile, Leo continues his legacy with Inter Miami and prepares for the next match against Nashville SC in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup at Geodis Park.
