Europe’s 10 most creative players revealed as two Arsenal players feature
New data has been released, revealing the top ten most creative footballers in Europe’s top-five leagues for the current season. Surprisingly, Lionel Messi is not ranked first.
Despite being 35 years old, Messi has had a much more successful second season with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 21 goals and providing 20 assists in 41 matches for the Ligue 1 champions.
However, this will be his final season in Paris, as his contract is set to expire this summer.
While Messi is still unquestionably one of the best players in Europe, there are nine other players who have made it into the top ten for creativity this season.
According to the data collected by Planet Football, the top ten players have been ranked based on their shot-creating actions.
These actions are defined by the football data website FBref as the two offensive moves directly leading to a shot, which can include passes, take-ons, and drawing fouls.
Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid secured the tenth spot with 158 shot-creating actions. It was a somewhat disappointing season for Atletico, as they were eliminated from the Champions League during the group stage. However, they managed to secure their place in Europe’s top competition for the next season.
Tied for eighth place are Bukayo Saka from Arsenal and Benjamin Bourigeuad from Stade Rennais, both with 161 shot-creating actions each. Saka has had a remarkable season in the Premier League, contributing 14 goals and 11 assists for Arsenal as they competed with Manchester City for the title, narrowly missing out.
Meanwhile, Bourigeuad, a 29-year-old player, has been involved in 15 goals in Ligue 1, playing a significant role in positioning his team for a chance at European qualification.
Martin Ødegaard, who is also Saka’s teammate at Arsenal, is tied with Jonas Hofmann, the winger from Borussia Mönchengladbach, with 163 shot-creating actions. Ødegaard, the captain of Arsenal, has played a crucial role in the team’s success this season, contributing 15 goals and eight assists.
Moving on to the top five, Remy Cabella of Lille ranks fifth with 174 shot-creating actions. Cabella has been involved in 17 goals in the French top-flight, showcasing his impact and influence in Lille’s performances.
Surprisingly, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne does not make it into the top three, despite his impressive 176 shot-creating actions, which rank him fourth overall.
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old can still take pride in his significant contribution to Manchester City’s success in winning yet another Premier League title this season. De Bruyne scored seven goals and provided 18 assists, highlighting his influence and impact on the team’s performance.
Claiming the third spot is Kieran Trippier, the right-back from Newcastle United, with 178 shot-creating actions. Trippier, who has been in England this season, has stood out as one of the national team’s most impressive attacking full-backs.
He has averaged 4.79 shots created per game, showcasing his ability to contribute to the team’s offensive plays.
In second place is Lionel Messi with 189 shot-creating actions, and although his club-level achievements may not have been the highlight of his campaign, he will fondly remember winning the World Cup with Argentina.
Surprisingly, the top spot belongs to Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, who provided an impressive 219 shot-creating actions throughout the season. Despite scoring just eight goals, the 28-year-old Portuguese midfielder made up for it by creating an average of five shots per game.
Europe’s 10 most creative players revealed as two Arsenal players feature