Most goals and assists in a European league season: Scoring goals is a fundamental part of football, but combining goals and assists at an elite level separates the great players from the absolute best. Since 2000, only a select few footballers have delivered mind-blowing numbers in a single European league season.
With Mohamed Salah currently chasing history in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, we look back at the top 10 players with the most goal contributions (goals + assists) in a single season across Europe’s top five leagues. Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominate the list, but there are a few other legendary names that deserve recognition.
Top 10 Players with the Most Goals and Assists in a European League Season Since 2000
Before diving into the top 10 highest goal contribution seasons, here are some honorable mentions:
- Lionel Messi – 46 goal contributions in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2019-20
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 46 goal contributions in 2015-16
- Ciro Immobile – 45 goal contributions in 2019-20 Serie A
- Kylian Mbappe – 45 goal contributions in 2021-22 Ligue 1
- Robert Lewandowski – 48 goal contributions in 2020-21 Bundesliga
Now, let’s get into the top 10 players with the most goals and assists in a single major European league season since 2000.
Top 10 Highest Goal Contribution Seasons in European League History
10. Lionel Messi – 49 Goal Contributions (2010-11 La Liga)
- 31 goals, 18 assists
This was the season Messi truly became a global icon. At just 23, he led Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona to a La Liga title and Champions League triumph. Even more incredibly, he didn’t win the Pichichi, as Cristiano Ronaldo outscored him with 40 league goals.
9. Lionel Messi – 49 Goal Contributions (2018-19 La Liga)
- 36 goals, 13 assists
Barcelona were dominant this season, finishing 19 points ahead of Real Madrid. Messi once again topped both the goals and assists charts, winning his sixth Ballon d’Or later that year.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo – 51 Goal Contributions (2010-11 La Liga)
- 40 goals, 11 assists
Ronaldo’s first Pichichi-winning season saw him break the all-time La Liga record with 40 goals, but Real Madrid fell short in the title race and Champions League. However, he did score the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 51 Goal Contributions (2015-16 Ligue 1)
- 38 goals, 13 assists
The only player outside La Liga to feature in the top 10, Ibrahimovic completely dominated Ligue 1, leading PSG to a 31-point gap over second-place Lyon. His goal or assist every 50 minutes was nearly unmatched in modern football.
6. Luis Suárez – 56 Goal Contributions (2015-16 La Liga)
- 40 goals, 16 assists
The only player to break Messi and Ronaldo’s Pichichi dominance between 2009 and 2021. Suárez outscored Ronaldo and assisted as many goals as Messi, helping Barcelona edge Real Madrid to the La Liga title by a single point.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo – 58 Goal Contributions (2011-12 La Liga)
- 46 goals, 12 assists
One of Ronaldo’s best-ever seasons, leading Real Madrid to a record-breaking 100-point season. However, despite 46 goals, he still didn’t win the Pichichi because of an even greater campaign from Messi.
4. Lionel Messi – 58 Goal Contributions (2012-13 La Liga)
- 46 goals, 12 assists
Messi led Barcelona to another 100-point season while averaging a goal contribution every 45 minutes. If not for injuries causing him to miss several games, he could have broken even more records.
3. Lionel Messi – 61 Goal Contributions (2014-15 La Liga)
- 43 goals, 18 assists
A historic season where Barcelona’s attacking trio (Messi, Neymar, Suárez) produced 81 goals and 39 assists. Messi’s 61 goal contributions were stunning, but not enough for first place.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 64 Goal Contributions (2014-15 La Liga)
- 48 goals, 16 assists
Ronaldo’s best-ever goal-scoring season. Despite setting a career-high in both goals and assists, Real Madrid finished trophyless as Barcelona won the treble.
1. Lionel Messi – 66 Goal Contributions (2011-12 La Liga)
- 50 goals, 16 assists
The greatest individual league season in football history. Messi’s 50 goals remain the highest ever in a single European league season, while his 16 assists only added to his brilliance.
However, Barcelona lost the La Liga title to Real Madrid’s 100-point campaign, making this record-breaking season even more bittersweet.
What This Means for Modern Football
With Mohamed Salah tracking for 56 goal contributions in the Premier League this season, could we see a new entry into this legendary list?
The records set by Messi and Ronaldo in La Liga remain unmatched, but with goal-scoring becoming more competitive, new names like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane may challenge these historic numbers in the future.
Conclusion: Can Mohamed Salah Join This Elite List?
With Salah on track for 56 goal contributions, he could become the first-ever Premier League player to break into this historic list.
However, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s records remain untouched, proving why they are considered the two greatest footballers of all time.
“Zlatan will be remembered as one of the greatest forwards of all time.
“I put him on the same level as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo” – Roberto Mancini 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0yWHPB9Zq2
— GOAL (@goal) April 18, 2020
FAQs
1. Who has the most goal contributions in a single European league season?
Lionel Messi holds the record with 66 goal contributions (50 goals, 16 assists) in the 2011-12 La Liga season.
2. Who has the most goal contributions in a Premier League season?
The record for a 38-game Premier League season is 44 (Thierry Henry, 2002-03 & Erling Haaland, 2022-23). However, Salah is projected to break this record in 2024-25.
3. How many times has Messi had 50+ goal contributions in a season?
Messi has had five seasons with 50+ goal contributions in La Liga, the most in history.
4. How many times has Ronaldo had 50+ goal contributions in a season?
Cristiano Ronaldo has two seasons with 50+ goal contributions in La Liga.
5. Can anyone break Messi’s record of 66 goal contributions?
It’s unlikely, but players like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe could challenge it in the future if they maintain their incredible form.
Who do you think could break these records in the future? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⚽🔥
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