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Every successful attack is a symphony of coordinated efforts, where players collaborate to orchestrate that final, decisive touch. Every inch/centimetre can be the difference between winning or losing, success and failure and cheering or crying.
Welcome to our blog, where we delve into the heart of football: Goal contribution.
In this captivating journey, we’ll explore the multifaceted world of goal contribution, breaking down the elements that compose it and analysing the players who excel in this aspect of the game. From the swift assists that set up a perfect scoring opportunity to the incisive passes that carve open defences, we’ll examine how these crucial actions influence the outcome of matches. Whether a well-timed through ball that splits the opposition’s defence or a skilful dribble that creates space, each puzzle piece contributes to the bigger picture.
So, whether you’re a die-hard football enthusiast or a casual viewer seeking to deepen your understanding, join us as we embark on a voyage into the captivating world of goal contribution. From analysing iconic plays to examining the traits of modern footballing legends, our exploration promises to reveal the hidden layers of teamwork, strategy, and skill that shape the destiny of clubs and nations on the grand stage. Let’s kick off this exhilarating adventure and decode the secrets behind every triumphant celebration.
Top 15 goal contributions in the most prominent European leagues
It won’t come as a surprise for you as a die-hard football fan. Erling Haaland is the number one in goal contributions in all the European leagues we include in this blog. These leagues are the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A (Italy), Ligue 1, Liga Portugal, and Eredivisie.
Let’s look quickly at the top fifteen overall and then watch all leagues in more detail.
Based on this list, a few things stand out.
Contribution per match:
Erling Haaland has an average of 1,26 goal contributions per match. Kylian Mbappé is on an average of 1,03. Lionel Messi has an average of 1 goal contribution per match.
Top goal scorers:
Haaland, Kane and Mbappé are on this list mainly due to the goals they score themselves.
Haaland: 81,81% of his contribution is based on the goals he scored.
Kane: 90,90% of his contribution is based on the goals he scored.
Mbappé: 82,86% of his contribution is based on the goals he scored.
Jonathan David’s goal contribution is 85,71% based on the goals he scored. For Oshimen, it is 83,87%.
Assists:
Some players are on the list because they provided many goals and assists. Tadic, Griezmann and Messi provided the most assists.
Youth:
The youngest player on this list is Xavi Simons. He left PSV for RasenBallsport Leipzig in the summer of 2023. Next up is Erling Haaland. Sometimes you forget he is only 22 years old. Jonathan David is the third youngest player on the list at 23 years. Three more players are below 25 (Mbappé, Oshimen, and Muani).
Matches played:
Logically, players playing more matches have a higher chance of contributing to their team’s goals. However, don’t be deceived by this top 15. There are a couple of players that you will find in the lists below with fewer matches played that almost made the list. We won’t spoil the surprise for you yet.
League deviation:
Ligue 1: four players
Premier League: three players
La Liga: two players
Serie A: two players
Eredivisie: two players
Bundesliga: one player
Liga Portugal: one player
Most goal contributions Premier League
Experience and talent are pretty balanced in the Premier League list. Harry Kane and Erling Haaland mean business. Interestingly, only 18% of the goal contribution of Kevin de Bruyne are his goals, while his assist covers 72% of his contribution.
Most goal contributions La Liga
Karim Benzema is the first player in this blog to play less than 30 matches but still make it into the lists due to his average of 0,92 goal contributions per match.
What is interesting is that Vinicius Junior has a 50-50 distribution of goals and assists, just like Rodygo, both playing for Real Madrid.
Four players ended at 18 goal contributions this season, making a regular top 5 impossible.
Most goal contributions Bundesliga
Nkunku could only play 25 matches and is one of the few players on this page that didn’t play more than 30 matches. Still, he made the list with an average of 0,88 goal contributions per match.
Most goal contributions Serie A
Not a single player in the list of the Serie has an age above 30.
Kvaratskhelia almost has a 50-50 distribution while being the youngest player in the top 5.
Most goal contributions Ligue 1
Lionel Messi has a goal contribution that is divided perfectly, with 50% goals scored and 50% providing assists.
In Ligue 1, the youth and experienced players could divide the spots in this list.
Most goal contributions Liga Portugal
Gonçalo Ramos is an exceptional talent who left Sporting CP and joined PSG. This list shows the very reason PSG bought him.
Most goal contributions Eredivisie
Dusan Tadic and Xavi Simons were both in the top 15. However, both are leaving, and so is Vaclav Cerny. They all left for respectively Fenerbahce, RasenBallsport Leipzig and Wolfsburg.
A fantastic person on this list is Cody Gakpo. He left halfway and is still in the top 6 of Eredivisie’s goal contributions, he is the final player who is in the list without playing 30 matches. What would he and PSV have done had he stayed?
