Lionel Messi is one of the best players in the history of the Copa America, but where does the Argentine playmaker rank among the tournament’s all-time leading assist providers?
The Inter Miami star will be hoping to add to his goalscoring tally this summer as Argentina tries to defend their title as South American champions.
We’ve dug through the history of the competition to find the 10 players with the most assists, and see where Messi currently stands.
=9. Roberto Carlos – 3 assists
Considered by many to be the greatest left-back of all time, Carlos’ inclusion is no surprise, having won the Copa America twice with Brazil and often been a standout performer at the tournament.
=9. Arturo Vidal – 3 assists
What isn’t often said is the fact that Chile has won two of the last four Copa America tournaments, with Vidal playing a key role in all of those victories and still going strong today.
Now 37 years old and playing for his native Colo-Colo, he has been selected for the national team for 2024.
=8. Dani Alves – 4 assists
Throughout his club career, Alves recorded an astounding 178 assists and was just as creative on the international stage.
He has won the Copa America twice, in 2007 and 2019, recording a total of four assists in the process.
=8. Neymar – 4 assists
It’s a real shame that Neymar will miss this year’s tournament due to injury – funny enough, the last time he missed the Copa America due to injury was in 2019, when Brazil won.
He recorded three assists along the way and played a key role in Brazil’s run to the 2021 final, where the team narrowly fell short to Argentina at the final hurdle.
=6. Paolo Guerrero – 5 assists
Still active at 40 years old, Guerrero will be one of the oldest players taking part in this year’s Copa America.
The Peruvian striker has an incredible record in the competition, having provided five assists and won the Golden Boot award three times, in 2011, 2015 and 2019.
Read next: 14 international teams where Lionel Messi failed to score for Argentina
Take the quiz: can you name every team that has won the Copa America?
=6. Charles Aranguiz – 5 assists
The Chilean midfielder has played in four Copa America tournaments, recording five assists during that time.
He still plays in Brazil but was not selected for Chile’s national team this year and is unlikely to get the chance to improve his scoring record.
=2. Alexis Sanchez – 6 assists
The Inter Milan forward has won some of the biggest trophies at club level, but winning consecutive Copa America finals remains his greatest achievement.
“I don’t fully understand what’s going on, but I’m very emotional that we’re champions against an Argentina team that is one of the best in the world,” he said after winning the conservative Copa America in 2016.
“We have made our mark in Chilean football history. It’s the best thing that has happened in my life. It’s not every day you win two finals.”
=2. Juan Arango – 6 assists
Arango is the only Venezuelan on this list, which is something to be proud of. He has represented his country in six different tournaments, coming closest to winning in 2011 when Venezuela reached the semifinals.
=2. Angel Di Maria – 6 assists
When it comes to international football, Di Maria is arguably one of the most competitive players of all time, having scored in the Copa America and World Cup finals and always stepping up when it matters.
Not only has he scored some big goals for Argentina, he is always on hand to assist his teammates, and with him set to retire from the national team after this summer’s tournament, this could be his final appearance.
=2. Carlos Tevez – 6 assists
Tevez reached three finals with Argentina but never actually won the Copa America, despite producing some memorable moments along the way.
He wasn’t the only big name to miss out on the championship.
Read: 12 players you can’t believe never won the Copa America: Neymar, Maradona, Pele…
1. Lionel Messi – 17 assists
Who else? Not only does Messi have the most assists in the history of the Copa America, he completely dominates his competition.
As of this writing, Messi is averaging an assist every 171 minutes in the Copa America and will no doubt continue to improve on that tally this summer. Sometimes you need to celebrate greatness.
