Football, or soccer as it’s known in some parts of the world, is a team game that requires each player to contribute to the team’s success. However, some players have stood out for their exceptional skills and quality in the game.
The midfield is widely regarded as the most crucial element of any football team. A well-functioning midfield requires players who can defend against the opposition’s attacks, maintain possession of the ball, create scoring opportunities, and score goals themselves.
Midfielders come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no single template for the perfect midfielder. There are towering midfielders who excel at breaking up play in the middle of the pitch, box-to-box runners who contribute at both ends of the field, and diminutive playmakers who possess incredible technical ability.
When a team’s midfield is not functioning correctly, they are likely to struggle to maintain possession of the ball and create scoring opportunities. The midfield controls the flow of the game and determines the safety of the defenders and goalkeepers, as well as the effectiveness of the forwards.
Selecting the world’s best midfielders is a daunting task, considering the variety of playing styles and skill sets. However, we have attempted to compile a list of the top five based on their long-term success and current level of ability.
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
- Date of birth:28 June 1991
- Age:32 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth:Drongen, Ghent, Belgium
- Nationality:Belgian
- Height: 1.81m
- Club: Manchester City
- Overall rating:91
The third-best player in the world, according to last year’s Ballon d’Or, Kevin De Bruyne is the epitome of a midfield magician.
The Belgian has been weaving his magic for Manchester City since 2015 and racked up more than 200 goal contributions in all competitions.
A two-time Premier League Player of the Season and Playmaker of the Season, De Bruyne has also done the business on a personal level in the Bundesliga.
De Bruyne combines a deadly shot with pin-point passing and a devilish cross.
He is the complete attacking midfielder.
- Rodri (Manchester City)
- Full name: Rodrigo Hernández Cascante
- Date of birth: 22 June 1996
- Age: 27(As of 2023)
- Nationality: Spain
- Place of birth: Madrid, Spain
- Height: 1.90 m
- Club: Manchester City
- Overall rating: 89
As slick and stylish as Manchester City’s attacking play is, Rodri is the glue that keeps things together.
What do you want from a defensive midfielder? Well, interceptions, tackles and getting the ball to more creative players. Rodri does all three things so well and carries out Pep Guardiola’s tactics to a tee. He also chips in with the odd goal as well including the winner in last season’s Champions League final.
A core part of City’s treble-winning side, there is surely more silverware to come for the 27-year-old, who just seems to get better with every game.
- Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
- Full name: Luka Modric
- Nickname: Cruyff of the Balkans
- Date of birth: 9 September 1985
- Age:38 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth:Zadar
- Nationality: Croatian
- Height: 1.72 m
- Club:Real Madrid
- Overall rating: 88
He’s in the twilight years of his career but 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric is still a class act in the engine room thanks to his inch-perfect passing.
A driving force behind Real Madrid’s success since switching from Spurs in 2012, Modric has lifted the Champions League on five occasions with Los Blancos.
He’s also done the business on the international stage, captaining Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018 and playing a key role in their run to the semi-finals in Qatar.
- Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
- Full name: Toni Kroos
- Date of birth: 4 January 1990
- Age:33 years old (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Greifswald, Germany
- Nationality: Germany
- Height: 1.83 m
- Club :Real Madrid
- Overall rating: 88
Toni Kroos’s double pivot with the next man on our list is a key reason why Real Madrid has been so successful in La Liga and the Champions League since the mid-2010s.
A bit of an underrated figure because he rarely gets on the scoresheet, the German’s skills lie in his creativity and ability to keep the ball ticking over in the engine room.
As well as winning all the major trophies with former club Bayern Munich, Kroos has also won the greatest prize of them all as part of Germany’s World Cup-winning squad in 2014.
- Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
- Full name: Joshua Walter Kimmich
- Date of birth: 8 February 1995
- Age: 28 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth:Rottweil, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Height: 1.77 m
- Club:Bayern Munich
- Overall rating: 88
The most unheralded position in the game is bursting with quality and Joshua Kimmich has nailed the role.
One of the bargain buys of the century – Bayern Munich handed RB Leipzig €7 million for his signature in 2015 – Kimmich has won 12 major trophies at club level including the 2019/20 Champions League.
As well as being aggressive off the ball and an expert at winning it back, the Germany international is also slick in possession and contributes to the attacking side of the game with a deadly shot and decent crossing ability.
