IFFHS MEN'S ALL TIME WORLD PLAYMAKER RANKING (2006-2022)
PRELUDE
The determination of the Ranking of The IFFHS All Time World's Best Playmaker (1.1.2006 to 31.12.2022) carried out analogous as those of The World's Best Playmaker of the Decade, so there is a uniform system for the future. From the annual world ranking of the playmakers (as a result of the world vote) the IFFHS will take into consideration the "Top 20" for each year and allocate points to each place. So the first-placed receives 20 points, the second-placed 19 points, the third-placed 18 points... and a point for twentieth place. If the annual world ranking comprises more than 20 playmakers, then the playmakers from 21st place onwards receive no points. If the annual world ranking comprises fewer than 20 playmakers (based on the fixed rules), no points will be awarded for the unoccupied places. Adding the points from the individual years provides the All Time World ranking for the period 2006-2022.
LIONEL MESSI SOVEREIGN
The first-placed Playmaker of this final ranking is the leader of The IFFHS All Time World‘s Best Playmaker : Lionel Messi !
First of all, a playmaker is the player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals, through their vision, technique, ball control, creativity, and passing ability. The Playmaker has the same importance than a Goal scorer in a Team.That’s the reason why the IFFHS created in 2006 the Award of The World’s Best Playmaker. First winner : Zinedine Zidane in 2006 ! Second winner in 2007 : Kaka ! Then, the domination of FC Barcelona was total during ten years. Xavi won 4 Awards (2008 to 2011), Andres Iniesta 2 Awards (2012, 2013) and Lionel Messi won in total 5 Awards, 4 with FC Barcelona and one with Paris SG (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022). Only Real Madrid’s Kroos (2014) ,Modric (2018) and De Bruyne (2020 and 2021) contested the legendar trio !
TOP 10 IFFHS ALL TIME WORLD PLAYMAKERS (SINCE 2006)
| Rank | Name | Country | Points |
| 1 | Lionel MESSI | Argentina | 284 |
| 2 | Andres INIESTA | Spain | 197 |
| 3 | Kevin DE BRUYNE | Belgium | 141 |
| 4 | Luka MODRIC | Croatia | 133 |
| 5 | XAVI | Spain | 130 |
| 6 | Toni KROOS | Germany | 101 |
| 7 | Mezut OZIL | Germany | 85 |
| 8 | Andrea PIRLO | Italy | 82 |
| 9 | Eden HAZARD | Belgium | 77 |
| 10 | NEYMAR | Brazil | 71 |