When we talk about football greatness, trophies and goals often dominate the conversation. But there is one category that shows true football intelligence the players who have won most playmaker awards. This prestigious recognition, given by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), celebrates the finest creators in the game, the ones who turn vision into victory.
Here’s a complete ranking from top to bottom, based on the number of awards each player has won, and why they deserve their place among football’s elite.
| Players | Awards | Years Won |
| 1.Lionel Messi | 5 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 |
| 2.Xavi Hernández | 4 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| 3.Kevin De Bruyne | 3 | 2020, 2021, 2023 |
| 4.Andrés Iniesta | 2 | 2012, 2013 |
| 5.Zinedine Zidane | 1 | 2006 |
| 6.Jude Bellingham | 1 | 2024 |
1.Lionel Messi – 5 Awards
- Years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022
- Clubs: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi is widely considered the greatest playmaker of all time. His five Best Playmaker awards are proof of his unmatched ability to dictate games.Messi’s vision is extraordinary he sees passes that others can’t imagine. His dribbling draws defenders, opening space for teammates, and his passing precision is flawless. What makes Messi stand out is his ability to score and assist at the same world-class level. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, he orchestrated Barcelona’s attack with perfect harmony. Even after leaving Barcelona, he proved his playmaking magic at PSG, winning again in 2022.
2.Xavi Hernández – 4 Awards
- Years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Club: Barcelona
If football had a university, Xavi would be the professor of passing. The players who have won most playmakers award list wouldn’t be complete without him.Xavi’s four consecutive wins between 2008 and 2011 came during Barcelona’s golden era under Pep Guardiola. He was the heartbeat of the famous tiki-taka style, controlling the rhythm and dictating the game’s tempo. His short passing game frustrated opponents, while his long balls split defences. Xavi wasn’t just accurate — he was surgical.
3.Kevin De Bruyne – 3 Awards
- Years: 2020, 2021, 2023
- Club: Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne is the definition of a modern playmaker — strong, fast, and technically perfect. His three awards came during Manchester City’s era of dominance in English football.De Bruyne’s ability to deliver inch-perfect crosses and through balls is unmatched in the Premier League. He combines physical endurance with creative genius, making him a threat from anywhere on the pitch. His understanding with teammates like Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva has produced countless goals, proving why he’s one of the players who have won most playmakers award multiple times.
4.Andrés Iniesta – 2 Awards
- Years: 2012, 2013
- Club: Barcelona
Andrés Iniesta’s magic was in his elegance. He didn’t just create goals he created moments. Iniesta’s two Best Playmaker awards came during a period when Barcelona and Spain ruled the football world.
He was a master of close control, gliding past opponents like a dancer. His creativity wasn’t only about assists; it was about unlocking stubborn defences with perfect timing. Whether in Champions League finals or World Cup games, Iniesta’s decision-making was flawless
5.Zinedine Zidane – 1 Award
- Year: 2006
- Club: Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane was one of the most graceful footballers ever to touch a ball. In 2006, at the twilight of his career, he won the Best Playmaker award, showing that class truly is permanent. Zidane’s game was a mix of elegance, strength, and technique. His ability to turn under pressure, keep possession, and deliver decisive passes made him unstoppable. That same year, he led France to the World Cup final, cementing his reputation as a footballing genius.
6.Jude Bellingham – 1 Award
- Year: 2024
- Club: Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham’s inclusion in this list at such a young age is a sign of his extraordinary potential. In 2024, he became the latest addition to the players who have won most playmakers award list, outshining even seasoned stars.His versatility is remarkable he can defend, attack, and create. His vision and maturity on the ball make him stand out despite being in his early twenties. For Real Madrid, he has been a driving force in midfield, contributing both goals and assists.
The Impact of Players Who Have Won Most Playmaker Awards on Modern Football
The Best Playmaker award is not about the flashiest goals or the biggest trophies. It’s about seeing the game in slow motion, predicting moves before they happen, and executing them flawlessly. All these players have consistently influenced matches, turning potential into points.From Messi’s telepathic assists to Xavi’s perfect passes, from De Bruyne’s power play to Iniesta’s delicate touches, each player brings a unique flavour to football creativity. Even single-time winners like Zidane and Bellingham have shown that one season of brilliance can be enough to make history.
The Legacy of the Playmaker
In modern football, the role of the playmaker is evolving. Once primarily a central midfielder, playmakers today can be wingers, false nines, or even deep-lying midfielders. But the essence remains the same — to make the team tick.The players who have won most playmakers award have all adapted to changing football styles while staying true to their creative instincts. They remind us that while goals win matches, creativity wins hearts.
Q1.How do they decide who wins the Best Playmaker award?
The Best Playmaker award is chosen by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). They look at a player’s creativity, number of assists, key passes, vision and overall impact during the season. A panel of experts and journalists from around the world vote to make sure the players who have won most playmakers award truly deserve the title.
Q2.Is it possible for defenders or goalkeepers to win this award?
It is rare but possible. Most playmakers are midfielders or forwards since they are more involved in building attacks. For a defender or goalkeeper to win they would need to produce an exceptional number of assists or create game-changing passes consistently throughout the season.
Q3.Which team has given football the most Best Playmaker winners?
Barcelona takes that crown. Legends like Xavi, Iniesta and Messi all flourished there thanks to the club’s tiki-taka style which was built on quick and precise passing. This style helped produce several stars who became some of the most celebrated players who have won most playmakers award.
