Traditionally, the playmaking role fell heavily on the shoulders of a club's No. 10 or creative/attacking midfielder. That has changed over the years as wingers and fullbacks have increasingly played a more prominent role in not only setting up goalscoring opportunities, but scoring goals too.
There is nothing quite like a player carrying the ball forward and threading the eye of the needle pass or running down the flank and delivering the perfect cross.
LaLiga has played home to some of the best playmakers in world football, but who are the top 10 creative players in Spain's top-flight today?
Betway investigates:
10. Sergio Canales (Real Betis)
While both Nabil Fekir and club captain Joaquín, who is still going strong at the age of 38, deserve an honourable mention, Canales is the man pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Real Betis this season. The Spanish midfielder has created 52 chances (5th most), assisted four goals and scored four in 26 league appearances.
9. Éver Banega (Sevilla)
Although often limited to a deeper playmaking role, Banega has been no stranger to the final third and in what will be his final season in Seville, he has showcased his creative talent once more. The Argentine has assisted six goals in 23 matches, which equites to 0.29 assists per 90 minutes which is the eighth best ratio in LaLiga in the current campaign.
8. Roberto Torres (CA Osasuna)
The Osasuna playmaker was key in the club's promotion back to LaLiga last season and has impressed in his first season back in Spain's top tier. Torres has assisted seven goals in 26 matches, averaging 0.30 assists per 90 minutes. Better more, he has also chipped in with six goals.
7. Koke (Atletico Madrid)
Another who is confined to a much deeper playmaking role, Koke continues to form an integral part of an Atletico team battling to disturb Barcelona and Real Madrid's dominance. He has enjoyed another solid season and has assisted four goals, while he has created the ninth most chances (46) in 22 matches.
6. José Campaña (Levante UD)
The Spanish midfielder has continued his playmaking ways in LaLiga this season and has created the most chances (58), three more than Lionel Messi in the 2019/20 campaign. In total, Campaña has assisted five goals in 26 matches for Levante this season, while he has chipped in with two goals.
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5. Portu (Real Sociedad)
The Real Sociedad playmaker/ winger has been key to the club's push for UEFA Champions League football. Portu has made an immediate impact since his move from Granada in July and leads the league in assists from open play (tied on eight with Messi). The Spaniard has also chipped in with seven goals while he averages 0.35 assists per 90 minutes which is the fifth best ratio in LaLiga this season.
4. Martin Ødegaard (Real Sociedad)
Like Portu, Ødegaard has also been superb for Sociedad throughout the whole season. The Norwegian midfielder, who is on-loan from Real Madrid, has created 54 chances (tied for third most), assisted five goals and scored four in 23 appearances. He also has the second highest expected assist score and looks to be on course to fulfilling his huge potential.
3. Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)
The Spanish magician recovered from an almost career-ending injury to nail down a regular spot in Villarreal's starting XI. The former Arsenal favourite is still going strong at the age of 35 and has created the third most chances in the league (54) this season. Completely two-footed, Cazorla is an unique playmaker that also boasts an acute eye for goal - his tally of eight goals in 24 matches would attest to that. He has also assisted six goals in the current campaign.
2. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
One of the best passers of the ball in world football, Kroos does his playmaking from a deeper role - often picking out his teammates in space from almost impossible angles. The German boasts the highest passing accuracy (93.6 per cent), passing accuracy in the opposition half (92.4 per cent) and passing accuracy ending in the final third (90.3 per cent) in the league this season. He has also created 50 chances, assisted five goals and scored three. Baller.
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
There was always only going to be one name atop this list. Messi continues to defy the odds and at 32 years of age he is enjoying one of his best seasons yet. The Argentine leads the league in big chances created (22), passes ending in the final third (698) and assists (12). He has also created the second most chances (55) and tops the scoring charts with 19 goals in 22 LaLiga matches this season. Another incredible and record-breaking campaign for one of the best/ if not the best playmaker in the history of the game.
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