The 6 players with the most goals & assists in Europe in 22-23

lionel messi psg 2022

Most attacking players either create goals or score goals – but stars from Barcelona, Manchester City and PSG are among those to do both at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Using data from transfermarkt, we’ve compiled a list of the top six players from Ligue 1, the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga and Serie A in terms of their combined goals and assists contributions.

We doubt you’ll be too surprised at the identity of number one…

=5. Jonathan David (12)

It’s amazing that none of Europe’s big beasts have taken David from Lille but, with nine goals and two assists in Ligue 1 already, we’d bet huge sums against him remaining at the club this time next year.

In addition to his goalscoring prowess, David's link-up play is also of a high standard and he is capable of controlling the ball very well given his excellent technique. The Canada international is also willing to contribute defensively, which makes him popular with any coach he plays under.

It's no wonder that the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United are beginning to hover around the 22-year-old. 

=5. Kylian Mbappe (12)

While Mbappe may have been embroiled in some off-the-field drama this season, nobody can really argue with his goal and assist output; the France international has scored 10 times and assisted twice as PSG thrash various Ligue 1 opponents.

But he's undeniably been overshadowed by the exploits of two other team-mates...

3. Lionel Messi (15)

The obituaries were premature; Messi’s first season at PSG was low-key disappointing with just six goals and 14 assists.

But, with a World Cup to fine-tune himself for, we’ve seen a vintage Messi this season as the Argentine has already chalked up six goals and nine assists for the Ligue 1 champions.

It’s no wonder that PSG are desperate to tie Messi to a longer contract. According to Le Parisien, PSG’s sporting advisor Luis Campos is eager to keep hold of Messi as the club are said to be ‘delighted with his extraordinary professionalism’.

But one report states that the financial aspect of Messi’s potential extension is problematic for PSG. After recording €350million (£305m) in losses last season, the Ligue 1 giants are worried about forking out another €41m (£35m) on Messi’s salary.

Nevertheless, it is believed PSG will offer Messi a one-year extension in due course although, as it stands, no official deal has yet been tabled. It is likely that the 35-year-old forward will also receive interest from other clubs across the globe.

However, Messi has said he will wait until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to make a decision over his future

=2. Neymar (16)

Neymar looked set for the exit door at PSG six months ago with owner team-mate Kylian Mbappe reportedly unhappy about playing alongside the 30-year-old for much longer.

But the fulcrum of Brazil’s attack has responded in the best possible manner; stopping the extra-curricular nonsense, rolling up his socks and chipping in with a remarkable nine goals and seven assists for Christophe Galtier’s side.

=2. Robert Lewandowski (16)

Despite swapping Bavaria for Barcelona, there’s been absolutely no drop in Lewandowski’s goal and assist output.

He’s fired 12 goals past bewildered La Liga goalkeepers while chipping in four assists as the Camp Nou has quickly fallen in love with the Poland international. He'll be hoping to keep them in the Champions League tonight...

1. Erling Haaland (20)

It’s only October and journalists are already running out of words for Haaland’s jaw-dropping start to life in the Premier League.

Forget the sheer number of goals for a second; it’s the variety of his 17 strikes that have left English defenders quivering with fear and Haaland has helpfully contributed three assists too.

And Pep Guardiola believes his striker will be even better after the World Cup. Guardiola said that clearly Haaland would rather Norway had qualified for Qatar but now he will benefit from the break while other players try and deal with the “insane” schedule of playing straight through with its physical and mental toll.

“It’s the first time in our lives it’ll happen so we don’t know how the players will come back from the World Cup,” Guardiola said.

“If you have five or six players who are world champion they will be happy, they will come back really positive. Or the guys who are knocked out might be depressed.

“Maybe those who are knocked out in the knockout stages might have more holidays. I think from a point of view with this amount of games, with this incredible schedule, you’ve seen how many millions of injured players will miss the World Cup because of this insane, verruckt (German for crazy) calendar.

“He will be in Marbella or Norway. How perfect he will be depends on how he behaves in Marbella. He has a house there. He will play golf, hopefully not eat much and drink much!”

He’s currently on course to score over 60 goals this season. God help us all.