Sports
Players With Most Goals And Assists Since 1998
It is well known by now that Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are locked in a battle for the ages at this World Cup, with both finalists from the previous tournament going toe-to-toe to stake their claim as the competition’s all-time top goalscorer. But what about the players with the most goals and assists combined?
That, of course, is a question not many can answer, with so many stars capable of offering the best of both worlds in attack – either leading the line as a talisman or creating golden opportunities for their teammates in a selfless bid to drive their country towards World Cup glory. Mbappe and Messi naturally still feature, but the rest of the list is anyone’s guess.
Below are the players who have gone above and beyond in the final third, separating the complete forwards from the pure goalscorers and proving that the biggest impact is not always measured by goals alone.
Players With Most Goal Contributions At World Cup Since 1998
10. Rivaldo – 11 (Goals: 8 | Assists: 3)
Rivaldo is one of ten players to have won the World Cup, the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Brazil players of all time. He only played in two World Cups in the timeline these stats account for, which is an outstanding indictment of just how good he was in his pomp.
9. Neymar – 12 (Goals: 9 | Assists: 3)
From one brilliant Brazilian to another, Neymar may get a bit of a bad rap nowadays because of his woeful injury record, but the tricky winger never let his country down when fit. A story of ‘what could have been’ as he never realised his Ballon d’Or potential, the former Barcelona star has still had an exceptional career.
8. Ivan Perisic – 13 (Goals: 7 | Assists: 6)
Instrumental to Croatia’s second golden generation, the Split-born Ivan Perisic is the player with the most goal contributions at major tournaments with 18 involvements for the Balkan nation. Of those, 13 came during World Cups, with him being an inventive part of the team that reached the 2018 World Cup final.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 13 (Goals: 11 | Assists: 2)
There’s no denying that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time – after all, he is football’s top goalscorer, and is bound to stay at the top of that pedestal for a long, long time. But what limits him on this list is that he has the lowest assist tally, with the former Real Madrid icon clearly a little selfish in nature compared to his rivals.
6. Thomas Muller – 16 (Goals: 10 | Assists: 6)
Thomas Muller concluded his spectacular international career with 131 caps and 45 goals, having been the Golden Boot winner in the 2010 World Cup and a key figure in Germany’s 2014 triumph. A reliable, all-action attacking midfielder, he’s the kind of player the modern day Die Mannschaft are missing in their pursuit of renewed glory.
5. Harry Kane – 18 (Goals: 14 | Assists: 4)
There’s every reason to believe Harry Kane might just be England’s greatest-ever player. The Bayern Munich man is a goal machine of the highest order, and the only thing he’s missing is captaining the Three Lions to their second star. If anyone’s going to do it, it’s almost certainly the country’s all-time record goalscorer.
4. Ronaldo – 19 (Goals: 15 | Assists: 4)
With eight goal contributions in the 1998 World Cup before an injury ruled him out of the final, then a further eight goals to win both the Golden Boot and the title four years later, how good Ronaldo would have been without fitness issues will forever remain one of football’s biggest mysteries. He won two Ballon d’Or mantles, and that’s almost solely down to his international superstardom.
3. Miroslav Klose – 20 goals (Goals: 16 | Assists: 4)
Before the 2026 edition, Miroslav Klose held the record for the most World Cup goals. “Give him the ball, and he will do the rest” has never quite matched a player’s traits than it does with the German legend, whose movement and clinical edge were a sight to behold on the world stage.
2. Kylian Mbappe – 26 (Goals: 20 | Assists: 6)
With age on his side (he’s 27), Kylian Mbappe should be determined to one day top this list, perhaps even by a runaway margin. His record at World Cups is just phenomenal, having won it in 2018, scored a hat-trick in the final in 2022, and is now well in the mix for a Golden Boot this year. He’s the current Ballon d’Or favourite as a result.
1. Lionel Messi – 30 (Goals: 21 | Assists: 9)
Mr inevitable. Lionel Messi has the most goals on this list, as well as the most assists, with him single-handedly supercharging Argentina’s triumph at the last World Cup. This time around, the landscape has barely changed, with only two of his nation’s goals not being as a result of his contribution.
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt & PopFoot (correct as of 11/07/2026)
A coach with Argentina’s women’s youth national team stands accused of years of sexual and psychological abuse of minors, according to allegations circulating from French investigative journalist Romain Molina.
If the claims are substantiated, it would form part of a widening scandal engulfing the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Importantly, the allegations remain unproven and none has been tested in court. It stems from Molina’s ongoing investigation into what he has billed as “the mafia of Argentine football,” with a full report teased on X.
Molina — a former Guardian contributor whose previous work includes investigations into the Confederation of African Football and Malian basketball — has not published primary documentation of the abuse claims in English-language outlets. There’s also been no public response from the AFA and the coach.
What is Alleged?
According to accounts credited to Molina’s investigation, a coach of Argentina’s women’s youth setup (U-16/U-17 level) allegedly spent years subjecting players to psychological and sexual harassment, including allegedly making threats and demanding intimate photographs.
The AFA is reported to have been aware of the conduct and to have failed to act. The allegations go further, claiming that when the affected players sought to bring their case to FIFA’s ethics committee on condition of anonymity, the case was dismissed for a purported “lack of evidence” and the complainants’ identities were subsequently exposed.
The coach is alleged to remain in post without sanction. GiveMeSport has not independently verified these claims. They should be treated as allegations relayed via Molina’s reporting until corroborated by primary sources or a formal investigation.
The Wider AFA Scandal
The abuse allegations have surfaced days after it was reported that the AFA is under FBI examination over possible fraud and money laundering, with investigators said to be inspecting more than $300 million allegedly moved through the U.S. financial system — a figure first reported by Argentine outlet La Nacion.
Another allegation from the Molina investigation claims that, days before Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, the AFA handed exclusive international commercial rights to a newly formed Miami company with no football background. This was said to be done on an unusually high commission — with funds allegedly routed through shell companies.
Both reports have generated debate over the governance at the AFA and FIFA; questions that have been sharpened by the disputed refereeing that accompanied Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
Whether Molina’s full report stands up to its most serious allegations will determine how much of this scandal moves from claim to record.
A former FIFA referee and rules expert has cast a clear verdict on whether Norway’s opening goal vs England should have been brought back for a foul on Harry Kane in the buildup.
The Three Lions had dominated possession in the early exchanges of their World Cup quarter-final. But the first hydration break in Miami’s hot and humid Hard Rock Stadium sparked new life into the Vikings, with Andreas Schjelderup producing a bolt from the blue as his cross-come-shot rebounded off the upright of the post and in.
Kane, Jordan Pickford, and others in the England camp were convinced a Norwegian defender had committed a foul in the buildup, but Christina Unkel wasn’t so convinced, as she gave her reasoning for ITV.
Former FIFA Referee Casts Verdict on Harry Kane Foul in Norway Opener
After reviewing the footage, Unkel – who served as State Referee Administrator for the Florida State Referee Committee, following years as a FIFA referee – explained on ITV (watch the incident below):
“No [it wasn’t a foul], we take a look at it and rock it back and forth, no contact on the back of Kane’s foot – clear possession with no foul leading up to it.”
Jude Bellingham Comes to the Rescue Once Again
Luckily for England, they weren’t behind for long. Jude Bellingham scored his fifth goal of this summer after being played through by a slick Anthony Gordon ball during added time.
Thomas Tuchel has long been able to call on the Real Madrid midfielder for a saviour, and that was the case yet again. Having smelt blood in the very early knockings of the match, the German appeared to be passionately telling his players to move the ball quicker and play with more urgency during the hydration break, but it wasn’t until the final 10 minutes that the Three Lions reacted to that message.
With all to play for in the second-half, England are hoping to make it past the quarter-finals for just the third time in their 11 total appearances at this stage of the World Cup. The last time they managed that was under Gareth Southgate in 2018, before they lost to Croatia.
Tottenham are said to be interested in a proven Premier League attacker who is now playing his football in Spain. It has already been a busy summer for the North London club, who have amassed a club-record spend of more than £235million.
Roberto De Zerbi is getting money to spend that no Spurs boss before him has had, but the trade-off is that he will be expected to turn a bottom-dwelling team into one that is ready to qualify for Europe next season.
Up to now, Tottenham have concentrated on strengthening their midfield options, but having ticked off two big midfield signings, attention will now turn to attacking recruits.
Tottenham now considering Barcelona signing
According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham are interested in a move for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, who has reportedly been marked for exit this summer. Barca have spent big to land Karim Adeyemi this summer, replacing Robert Lewandowski, and Torres could pay the price. The report claims Atletico Madrid are showing the strongest interest, but Tottenham and Aston Villa are also said to be interested.
The Spain international, who is with La Roja at the World Cup this summer, scored 21 goals across all competitions for Barca last season, is said to carry an asking price of €35million, which works out at around £29.8million.
That will be seen as a bargain fee for a 26-year-old player who already has Premier League experience, winning the Premier League title and three LaLiga titles.
Torres is also able to play out wide and as an out-and-out striker, which is something De Zerbi may look for this summer given the club’s current spending total and the needs they still need to tick off.
Torres has had a steady impact in recent times
Torres has not been a key starter for Barca in recent times, even though he has been plenty involved. Still, last year, Barca boss Hansi Flick praised him for his ability to come in and make an impact after a Copa del Rey clash. He said: “It’s important that everyone shows his best. Ferran, his performance was really good. As a No.9, it counts that you score goals and he did it really great today.
“I am happy because he scored three goals. It’s amazing because he has not had an easy time this season. He came back after an injury and I’m happy for him, he was great today.”
Argentina Women’s Youth National Team Coach Accused of Sexual Harassment
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