Stars of La Liga feature heavily with usual suspects topping the lot.
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There may be no surprises with Barcelona and Real Madrid stars at the top of the pile but Bayern Munich and Arsenal forwards compete in a La Liga heavy list.
Here are the stars with the most combined goals and assists for club and country in 2014.
5=. Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich & Germany) – 40
The Bayern forward may not be the most glamorous name on the list but has certainly scored some important goals and provided crucial assists in 2014.
A key man in Germany’s successful World Cup campaign, Müller reportedly refused a transfer to Manchester United in the summer and you can expect with a goals an assists tally of 40 in 2014, he’ll be at the top a few manager’s wish lists.
5=. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales) – 40
It’s been a non-stop start for the £85.3 million Madrid forward after his 2013 summer move from Tottenham Hotspur. After a patchy first few months at Madrid, many thought the Spanish giants had made a mis-step in signing the speedy Welshman.
However, it was Bale’s exploits at the end of the season that would prove he was worth his weight in gold. The winning goal in the Copa del Rey final followed by a strike in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid prove just what a success the 25 year old’s big money move has been.
5=. Neymar (Barcelona & Brazil) – 40
The golden boy of Brazil enjoyed a quiet first season as he become accustomed to his new Spanish surroundings. After becoming the undisputed star of the 2014 World Cup scoring four goals in five games, despite a back injury cutting his competition short, he’s become a key player in Luis Enrique’s Barcelona renaissance.
Despite a penchant to be wasteful in front of goal, Neymar equals Müller and Bale’s efforts with 40 goals and assists so far this season.
4. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal & Chile) – 49
A revelation for the Gunners, Sanchez’s devastating form makes you question why Barcelona sold him in the first place.
The leading light of the North Londoners’ stuttering season, the Chilean never say die attitude has endeared him to the north London faithful. The South American can often be seen collapsing to the turf once the 90 minutes is up after having run a mini-marathon over the course of a match.
49 goals and assists in 2014, with 15 of those coming in his first three months at the Emirates Stadium alone.
3. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid & France) – 52
Instrumental to Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti, whatever his form Benzema always seems to score the big goals in the big games.
Gradually progressing from a raw, timid striker in his first season in the Spanish capital, Benzema has morphed into an unselfish but deadly forward, complimenting the more greedy Cristiano Ronaldo.
Now integral to the both Los Blancos and France attack, he’s contributed 52 goals and assists in 2014.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal) – 71
Madrid’s talisman has seemed to have some kind of complex towards Lionel Messi over the past few seasons in La Liga.
But last year, Ronaldo seemed to step out of the Argentine’s limelight, at least slightly, becoming the Spanish top-tier’s top scorer as well as winning medals in Europe and the Copa del Rey.
However, he may be the favourite for the Ballon d’Or and scored and assisted a staggering 71 goals in 2014 so far, but there’s still a little Argentine keeping him from top spot.
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – 73
Even Messi could not deny Ronaldo’s recent dominance. The Barcelona superstar somewhat fell short of the very high standards he’s set himself, looking a yard off the pace and suffering with a number injuries. But somehow the 27-year-old has managed to sneak his way into top spot, yet again.
It shouldn’t really be that much of a surprise given what an immense talent the Argentine wizard is, only this week has Messi broken the La Liga and Champions League all time scoring records.
Messi, leading the way, not for the first time, with a staggering 73 goals and assists in the year so far.