The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has named Leo Messi as the ‘Playmaker of the Decade’ as the Argentinian international stands incontestable at the top of the table with 174 points to his credit as the records and ranking by IFFHS are based on a yearly ranking system.

Messi, who is a six-time Ballon d’Or winner, was IFFHS’s best playmaker in 2015, 2017, and 2019 and, 4-time IFFHS World’s Best Top Division Goal Scorer in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 and, 2-time IFFHS World’s Best International Top Goal Scorer in 2011, 2012 has subsequently accumulated 174 points over the last ten years. Although Kevin de Bruyne bested him for the trophy in 2020.

Messi’s former Barca teammate and one of the greatest ever midfielders to play the game , Andres Iniesta, came second with 127 points.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid star Luka Modric, who also won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, took third place by receiving 113 points.

While, Messi’s arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo has finished outside the top 10, at the 12th place with 54 points, one point short of Xavi Hernandez.

Kevin De Bruyne, the Man City Midfielder, played also a key role in the team’s two successive Premier League titles, has finished behind Modric with 103 points. De Bruyne has also equaled Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single season,20, in the last term.

Toni Kroos and Eden Hazard made up the top six, while Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil has secured the eighth-place.