This article will tell you about the top 10 best midfielders in the world right now.
The midfield is perhaps the most important aspect of a football squad. A completely functional engine room requires players who can defend against opposing attacks, maintain possession, generate chances, and contribute goals.
Because midfielders come in diverse shapes and sizes, there is no set template for them. Big men in the midfield break-up play, box-to-box runners get involved at both ends of the game, and pint-sized playmakers with the magic touch.
With that in mind, narrowing down different types of players into a list of the world’s finest midfielders is a difficult process, but we’ve made an attempt at constructing a top 10 based on long-term performance as well as the current level of ability.
The occasional downturn in the form will be overlooked because it seems unfair to penalize them for a few poor performances. Instead, we’ll examine trophies, key statistics, and their overall impact on club and country. Don’t be concerned; we know you’ll disagree with us.
10. Pedri (Barcelona)
It’s incredible that Barcelona paid Las Palmas only €5 million for Pedri’s services in 2019, given that he’s currently worth at least 20 times that amount. Congratulations to the Barcelona scout who recognized his brilliance.
The 20-year-old is beginning to accumulate team trophies after assisting Barcelona to La Liga victory in 2022-2023, while he has also amassed individual accolades, including the 2021 Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy.
Pedri scored 21 goals in his 100th game for Barcelona, but it’s his lightning-quick feet, movement, and progressive passing that distinguishes him as one of the world’s greatest at such a young age.
9. Gavi (Barcelona)
What were you doing at the age of 18? Gavi was busy winning the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy accolades late last year, which are given to the greatest player under the age of 21.
The 19-year-old Barcelona rising sensation has the world at his feet and has already established himself as a fixture in Spain’s national team.
The biggest compliment Gavi can receive is that he appears to be a regen of Nou Camp giants Xavi and Andres Iniesta due to his dribbling, vision, passing, and change of gear.
8. Casemiro (Manchester United)
Casemiro’s decision to leave the Bernabeu for Old Trafford last summer raised some eyebrows, but he has shown to be a wise signing for Manchester United thanks to the intelligence he adds to the midfield.
The 31-year-old is the first to say he isn’t the most technically gifted player on the earth, but he does the grunt work that allows his teammates to prosper and the system to function.
Casemiro has more than 70 caps for Brazil, has won the Copa America in 2019, has won the Champions League five times, and has three La Liga crowns. A fantastic CV for a fantastic player.
7. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
That’s correct, yet another defensive midfielder. The game’s most underappreciated position is brimming with talent, and Joshua Kimmich has mastered it.
Kimmich, one of the bargain acquisitions of the century (Bayern Munich paid RB Leipzig €7 million for his signature in 2015), has won 12 major club championships, including the 2019/20 Champions League.
The Germany international is aggressive off the ball and an expert at winning it back. He is also smooth in control and adds to the attacking side of the game with a powerful shot and decent crossing skills.
6. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Luka Modric is in his twilight years, but the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is still a class act in the engine room thanks to his inch-perfect passing.
Modric has been a driving force behind Real Madrid’s success since joining from Spurs in 2012. He has won the Champions League five times with Los Blancos.
On the international level, he’s also done well, captaining Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018 and playing a major role in their journey to the semi-finals in Qatar.
5. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos’ double pivot with the next member on our list has been a crucial reason for Real Madrid’s dominance in La Liga and the Champions League since the mid-2010s.
The German is an underestimated figure since he rarely scores, but his strengths lay in his ingenuity and ability to keep the ball moving in the engine room.
In addition to winning all of the major trophies with his former club Bayern Munich, Kroos was a member of Germany’s World Cup-winning squad in 2014.
Kroos has an average pass accuracy of 93% in the 2023/24 season (the current season). His passing skills are beyond imagination, not to mention the consistency he has had in his career.
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
It’s debatable whether Mohamed Salah should be classified as a midfielder or a forward, but the Fantasy Premier League gods have him listed as a midfielder, which is good enough for us!
Despite Liverpool’s struggles last season, Salah still managed to score 30 goals in all competitions, which, when compared to the previous season, demonstrates how amazing his body of work is.
Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times and has played a key role in Liverpool’s recent victories, including the 2019/20 title and the 2018/19 Champions League. He has also been a frequent fixture in the top ten of the last four Ballon d’Or voting.
3. Rodri (Manchester City)
Rodri is the glue that holds Manchester City’s attacking play together, as slick and brilliant as it is. What qualities do you seek in a defensive midfielder? Interceptions, tackles, and moving the ball to more creative players are all important.
Rodri excels at all three and executes Pep Guardiola’s methods to perfection. He also scores the occasional goal, notably the game-winning goal in last season’s Champions League final.
The 27-year-old, who was a key member of City’s treble-winning squad, will undoubtedly win more trophies in the future.
2. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne, the world’s third-best player according to last year’s Ballon d’Or, is the embodiment of a midfield wizard. Since joining Manchester City in 2015, the Belgian has contributed more than 200 goals across all competitions.
De Bruyne, a two-time Premier League Player of the Season and Playmaker of the Season has also done well in the Bundesliga. His lethal strike is combined with pinpoint passing and a diabolical cross. He is an all-around offensive midfielder.
1. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
We all laughed when Birmingham City removed Jude Bellingham’s number 22 shirt upon his sale to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, but the Blues have had the last laugh since the 20-year-old is the whole deal on the verge of breaking out.
Bellingham tackles obstacles like a number six, goes box-to-box like a number eight, and thinks like a number ten. Is there anything this young man cannot do?
A spectacular appearance for England at the 2022 World Cup cemented his entrance on the world stage, and after joining Real Madrid, you’d think Champions League and La Liga titles are on the horizon. He may easily be at the top of this list in a few years.
Also Read: Top 10 Greatest Attacking Midfielders Of All time
Despite being a midfielder, Jude is currently the top scorer of La Liga. He has already broken three of Cristiano Ronaldo’s records at the Los Blancos. But that doesn’t mean he is at that level right now. He still has a very long way in order to become one of the greatest players of all time.
