The top 17 best passers in the world as of 2024: Global ranking

The top 17 best passers in the world as of 2024: Global ranking

Ciku Njuguna, Cyprine Apindi, Peris Walubengo
updated at April 18, 2024 at 9:33 PM

The best passers in the world have impressive precision and accuracy. To be a king of the pass in football, they must know how to move the ball quickly among teammates and put it in an excellent position for a shot on goal. Discover the world's best passers below and fascinating facts about them.

Kevin De Bruyne, Toni Kroos, and Parejo are among the best passers in the world
Kevin De Bruyne, Toni Kroos, and Parejo are among the best passers in the world. Photo: Alex Livesey, Mateo Villalba, David Aliaga (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

A pass in football means moving the ball from one player to another. Soccer players considered the best passers worldwide are naturally gifted in passing balls. They rarely miss their marked teammates. This list of the best passers in the world is based on the latest FIFA ratings.

Overview of the best passers in the world

Ranking

Name

Recorded FIFA passes

1

Kevin De Bruyne

93

2

Toni Kroos

90

3

Parejo

90

4

Lionel Messi

90

5

Luka Modrić

89

6

Trent Alexander-Arnold

89

7

Christian Eriksen

88

8

Bruno Fernandes

88

9

Thiago

87

10

Marco Verratti

87

11

Joshua Kimmich

87

12

Hakim Ziyech

87

13

Jorginho

86

14

Frenkie de Jong

86

15

Luis Alberto

86

16

Youri Tielemans

86

17

Martin Ødegaard

86

Best passers in the world: top 17 list

Below is a look at the best passers in FIFA 23 (the latest rankings). Check out if your favourite footballer appears on the list.

17. Martin Ødegaard - 86 passes

Martin Ødegaard acknowledges the home fans after defeat in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium
Martin Ødegaard acknowledges the home fans after defeat in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium in London, England. Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Martin Ødegaard
  • Date of birth: 17 December 1998
  • Age: 25 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Drammen, Norway
  • Nationality: Norwegian
  • Height: 1.78 m
  • Club: Arsenal

Considered one of the best passers and midfielders in the world, Martin Ødegaard is known for his technique, dribbling ability, vision, and range of passing. He plays for Arsenal and the Norway national team.

16. Youri Tielemans - 86 passes

Youri Tielemans during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City at City Ground in Nottingham
Youri Tielemans during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City at City Ground in Nottingham, England. Photo: Catherine Ivill
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Youri Marion A. Tielemans
  • Date of birth: 7 May 1997
  • Age: 26 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • Height: 1.76 m
  • Club: Aston Villa

Youri Tielemans made his football debut at 16. He is proficient with long passes. Youri Tielemans is signed with Aston Villa and also plays for Belgium National Football Team. He made 86 passes in the last season.

15. Luis Alberto - 86 passes

Luis Alberto during the match Lazio v Salernitana at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome
Luis Alberto during the match Lazio v Salernitana at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome. Photo: Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Luis Alberto Romero Alconchel
  • Date of birth: 28 September 1992
  • Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: San José del Valle, Spain
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Height: 1.82m
  • Club: Lazio

Luis Alberto plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Lazio. After coming through Sevilla's youth system, he signed with Liverpool in 2013 from Barcelona B. Luis Alberto made 86 passes in the last season.

14. Frenkie de Jong - 86 passes

Frenkie De Jong of FC Barcelona with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Company
Frenkie De Jong of FC Barcelona with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Pedro Salado
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Frenkie de Jong
  • Date of birth: 12 May 1997
  • Age: 26 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Arkel, Netherlands
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Height: 1.80m
  • Club: Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong, who plays for Barcelona, is a box-box midfielder known for his vision, passing, and dribbling techniques. De Jong has collected several individual awards, including the 2018/19 UEFA Midfielder of the Season. He is regarded as one of Barcelona's best passes, with a record of 86 passes in the last season.

13. Jorginho - 86 passes

Jorginho looks on during the Premier League match
Jorginho looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield in Liverpool, England. Photo: Chelsea FC
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jorge Luiz Frello Filho Cavalier
  • Date of birth: 20 December 1991
  • Age: 32 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Imbituba, Brazil
  • Nationality: Italian, Brazilian
  • Height: 1.80m
  • Club: Arsenal

Jorginho is a professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal and the Italy national team. The talented footballer was voted UEFA Men's Player of the Year. Jorginho joined Arsenal in January 2023 for a fee of £12 million. He made 86 passes in the last season.

12. Hakim Ziyech - 87 passes

Hakim Ziyech at the Al Duhail SC Stadium in Doha on the eve of the Qatar World Cup
Hakim Ziyech at the Al Duhail SC Stadium in Doha on the eve of the Qatar World Cup Round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain. Photo: Karim Jaafar / AFP)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Hakim Ziyech
  • Date of birth: 19 March 1993
  • Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Dronten, Netherlands
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Height: 1.8 m
  • Club: Galatasaray (on loan from Chelsea)

Hakim Ziyech plays as a right winger or an attacking midfielder for Süper Lig club Galatasaray. He is on loan from Premier League club Chelsea. He also plays for the Morocco national team. He is nicknamed The Wizard. Hakim Ziyech made 87 passes according to the latest stats.

11. Joshua Kimmich - 87 passes

Joshua Kimmich of Fc Bayern Muenchen at the Press conference listening to a journalist at Parken Stadium
Joshua Kimmich of Fc Bayern Muenchen at the Press conference listening to a journalist at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo: T. Kieslich/FC Bayern
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Joshua Walter Kimmich
  • Date of birth: 8 February 1995
  • Age: 29 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Rottweil, Germany
  • Nationality: German
  • Height: 1.77 m
  • Club: Bayern Munich

Joshua Kimmich is a German professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or right-back at Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. He is regarded as one of the best passers globally. Joshua Kimmich is known for his aggression, versatility, and playmaking ability. He recorded 87 passes in the last season.

10. Marco Verratti - 87 passes

Marco Verratti reacts during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at the PSG training centre
Marco Verratti reacts during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at the PSG training centre in Paris, France. Photo: Aurelien Meunier
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Marco Verratti
  • Date of birth: 5 November 1992
  • Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Pescara, Italy
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Height: 1.65 m
  • Club: Al-Arabi

Marco Veratti is a creative and technically gifted player with quick dribbling skills. He joined Al-Arabi in September 2023. Marco Veratti guided Italy to their second European Championship title in July 2021. He made 87 passes in the last season.

9. Thiago Alcântara - 87 passes

Thiago Alcantara in action during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool FC at Elland Road
Thiago Alcantara in action during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool FC at Elland Road in Leeds, England. Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento
  • Date of birth: 11 April 1991
  • Age: 33 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: San Pietro Vernotico, Italy
  • Nationality: Spain
  • Height: 1.74 m
  • Club: Liverpool

Thiago Alcântara is a technical and creative midfielder in the game of football. He is well-known for his precise passes and technical abilities. In 2020, Thiago Alcântara joined Liverpool for an initial fee of £20 million and won the FA Cup and EFL Cup with Liverpool in 2022. He made 87 passes in the last season.

8. Bruno Fernandes - 88 passes

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates scoring their second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge
Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, England. Photo: Matthew Peters
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes
  • Date of birth: 8 September 1994
  • Age: 29 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Maia, Portugal
  • Nationality: Portuguese
  • Height: 1.79 m
  • Club: Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes recorded 88 passes in the latest stats. He is a footballer who started his career at Italian Serie B side Novara. Bruno Fernandes now plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United, which he captains, and the Portugal national team.

7. Christian Eriksen - 88 passes

Christian Eriksen of Manchester United looks on during warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge
Christian Eriksen looks on during warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, England. Photo: Mike Hewitt
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Christian Dannemann Eriksen
  • Date of birth: 14 February 1992
  • Age: 32 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Middelfart, Denmark
  • Nationality: Danish
  • Height: 1.82 m
  • Club: Manchester United

Christian Eriksen is renowned for his vision, technique, passing, and free kick ability. He made 88 passes in the last season. Christian Eriksen plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Denmark national team.

6. Trent Alexander-Arnold - 89 passes

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium in Brighton, England. Photo: Mike Hewitt
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Trent John Alexander-Arnold
  • Date of birth: 7 October 1998
  • Age: 25 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: West Derby, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.75 m
  • Club: Liverpool

Trent began playing football at a young age, and his talent has helped him gain international recognition. He recorded 89 passes in the latest FIFA stats. Trent Alexander-Arnold is regarded as one of the best passers in the world due to his wide range of passing, crossing, and assists.

5. Luka Modrić - 89 passes

Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Valencia at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid,
Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Valencia at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Photo: David S. Bustamante
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Luka Modrić
  • Date of birth: 9 September 1985
  • Age: 38 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Zadar
  • Nationality: Croatian
  • Height: 1.72 m
  • Club: Real Madrid

Luka was named the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner. The Real Madrid playmaker is among the top 10 best passers in football history. Luka Modrić plays in the central, attacking, and defensive midfield positions. He made 89 successful passes in the last season.

4. Lionel Messi - 90 passes

Lionel Messi looks on after shooting the ball during the second half against Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City
Lionel Messi looks on after shooting the ball during the second half against Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo: Kyle Rivas/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
  • Date of birth: 24 June 1987
  • Age: 36 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
  • Nationality: Argentine
  • Height: 1.7 m
  • Club: Inter Miami

Leo Messi recorded 90 successful passes in the last season. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes. Lionel Messi was named the world's best player for a record eight times by FIFA.

3. Parejo - 90 passes

Dani Parejo of Villarreal CF celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match
Dani Parejo of Villarreal CF celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Villarreal CF and Girona FC. Photo: David Aliaga
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Daniel Parejo Muñoz
  • Date of birth: 16 April 1989
  • Age: 35 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Coslada, Spain
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Height: 1.82 m
  • Club: Villarreal

Parejo came through Real Madrid's youth system, joining at the age of 14. He represented Spain at all youth levels, earning 43 caps and scoring nine goals. Parejo made his full debut in 2018 at the age of 28. He is among the best passers in the world of all time, with 90 successful passes in the most recent FIFA stats.

2. Toni Kroos - 90 passes

Toni Kroos of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga Santander match
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Mateo Villalba
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Toni Kroos
  • Date of birth: 4 January 1990
  • Age: 34 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Greifswald, Germany
  • Nationality: Germany
  • Height: 1.83 m
  • Club: Real Madrid

Toni Kroos is among the footballers with the highest pass accuracy in football history. He has mostly played as a central midfielder in his career, but he has also been used as a deep-lying playmaker. He is well-known for his vision, passing, creativity, crossing, and set-piece ability. Toni Kroos was selected to the squad for the UEFA Euro 2020. He recorded 90 successful passes in the previous season.

1. Kevin De Bruyne - 93 passes

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. Photo: Alex Livesey
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
  • Date of birth: 28 June 1991
  • Age: 32 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Drongen, Ghent, Belgium
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • Height: 1.81m
  • Club: Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne has the best passing accuracy in football, according to the most recent FIFA stats. The Belgium and Manchester City star recorded 93 successful passes. Kevin De Bruyne is the only player besides Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry to have won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award back to back.

Who is the best passer in football history?

The best passers in football history include Mesut Ozil, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Roman Riquelme, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez.

Who is the best passer in soccer history?

The best passers in the history of soccer include Mesut Ozil, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Roman Riquelme, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez.

Is Messi the best passer?

Messi is one of the world's best football passers. He has made over 50,000 passes, and over 348 have gone down as assists.

What position passes the most in soccer?

Although passers typically play in any position on the field, most are midfielders. The most effective pass is a direct pass or a push pass.

Who has the most key passes in football history?

Messi, Neymar, De Bruyne, and Ozil are among the footballers with the most key passes.

The best passers in the world enjoy the fame and success that comes with their incredible performance on the field. It takes a lot of training, sacrifices, time, and effort to achieve great precision and accuracy in passing balls to teammates.

Sportsbrief.com recently published a list of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Did you know that without defensive midfielders, football would be a meaningless game?

These important players clear up any mess on the field and provide a link between the defence and midfield. The best defensive midfielders anticipate their opponents' next move and eliminate any attacks before they develop.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.
Cyprine Apindi photo
Cyprine Apindi
Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and reporter with over 4 years of experience based in Kenya. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication from Kenyatta University.
Peris Walubengo photo
Peris Walubengo
Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 4 years of experience in writing informational and entertainment articles, researching, editing, and proofreading.