REVEALED: Kevin De Bruyne is the most decisive attacking midfielder of the 21st century with more than 450 goals and assists, while a former Ballon d’Or winner and an Everton flop join him in the top ten

Kevin De Bruyne has taken home the crown for most decisive attacking midfielder of the 21st century, research shows, leading a list of star names in football over the last two decades.

The Man City playmaker has been a sensation during a career that started with Belgian side Genk before a turbulent spell at Chelsea and finally flourishing into a world class player at Manchester City.

During his time at the Etihad, De Bruyne – who made a superb return from injury for City earlier this month – has scored 97 goals and provided 155 assists, an incredible track record for one of the best attacking midfielders in world football.

Figures from PopFoot show the Belgian has a total of 169 career goals and 283 assists during his career for club and country – which puts him top of the tree among some esteemed company. 

He ends up some distance ahead of the runner-up – a former Ballon d’Or winner who played for AC Milan and Real Madrid. 

Ex-AC Milan and Real Madrid star Kaka is listed as No 2 after registering 398 goals and assists 

Kaka registered 398 goals and assists combined during his glittering career, with 236 goals and 162 assists that saw him help AC Milan to the Champions League in 2006-07 before winning LaLiga with Real Madrid in 2011-2012. 

Third is David Silva, who – like De Bruyne – was a magician for Man City as he finished his career with 369 combined goals and assists. 

Rounding off the top five are former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who became famed for his incredible vision and passing at Real Madrid before securing a £42million move to Arsenal in 2013. He managed 361 goals and assists in total – with his 240 assists being the second-highest overall.

He saw off a fellow former Real Madrid man in Wesley Sneijder, who finished his career with 349 goals and assists. 

Man United stars Christian Eriksen (middle bottom) and Bruno Fernandes (bottom right) also make the ranking 

Everton flop James Rodriguez is included too after notching a career 313 goals and assists 

In a list mostly featuring former and current Premier League stars – there are two United players included who are still at Old Trafford now – Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes. 

The former is ranked sixth after his stunning creaitve exploits saw him bag a total of 343 goals and assists while playing at Spurs before leaving for Inter Milan – significantly his 190 assists putting him fourth in that category, while Fernandes is down in ninth with 313 goals and assists. 

Also featuring in the ranking are another former Red Devil and Arsenal player in Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who managed 341 in total.

Former Everton flop James Rodriguez is also included. He might not have been a success at Goodison Park, but he did enjoy a successful career at Monaco, Monaco and Real Madrid – plus his talismanic presence with his Colombia national side. He was ranked eighth with 323. 

Finishing off in the rankings in tenth was ex-Napoli man Marek Hamisk, who scored 169 goals in his career with 133 assists.