It’s often said that whichever football team wins the battle of the midfield, tends to win the game. Whether it’s a holding midfielder who can shut down the opposition attack, an attacking one who can chip in with goals and assists, or a box-to-box player who can do both sides well effectively, they are usually the key to how a match pans out.
With that in mind, below are the 25 best midfielders in the world ranked in order, and the level of talent is off the scale. The following factors have been taken into consideration when forming these rankings, with players such as Jude Bellingham and Bruno Fernandes featuring.
Ranking Factors
Recent Form
Recent Individual Honours
Recent Team Trophies
Importance to Team (Club)
Importance to National Team
The Role Played in Respective Teams
Best Midfielders in the world image gallery
25 Luka Modric
AC Milan and Croatia
AC Milan’s Luka Modric
Serie A – AC Milan v Bologna – San Siro, Milan, Italy – September 14, 2025 AC Milan’s Luka Modric celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
He very well might be in the twilight years of his career, but Luka Modric is finding form away from the Santiago Bernabeu and proving to everyone that he’s still got it. Since arriving at AC Milan in the summer of 2025, which brought an end to a legendary 13-year career at Real Madrid, the Croatian maestro has been pulling the strings and orchestrating the Rossoneri’s recovery following a poor 2024/25 season.
Although he’s now 40-years-old, Modric has started eight Serie A games so far this term, scoring once and assisting twice to propel them seemingly into title contention. He might not be the player he once was, but even an ageing Modric is still truly elite.
24 Sandro Tonali
Newcastle and Italy
sandro tonali
Adored by the St James’ Park faithful, Sandro Tonali is the tempo-setter in Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side. A shrewd operator when in possession, the Italian possesses an excellent eye for a pass but is equally capable of tracking back to act as an enforcer or scoring a vital goal, as he did four times in 2024/25.
With energetic presences in the form of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton alongside him, Tonali brings calm to the Magpies’ engine room, with his measured performances in 2025/26 building on displays last season which helped Newcastle return to the Champions League. He’s increasingly important to Italy on the international stage too, earning 29 caps for the Azzurri to date.
23 Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona and Netherlands
Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona’s current team is packed full of exciting young players, but Frenkie de Jong brings experience and leadership to the Blaugrana’s midfield. Since moving from Ajax to the Camp Nou in 2019, the Dutchman has been relied upon season after season — even if his future at the club has sometimes been questioned.
Although he was limited to just over 1,100 minutes last term, Hansi Flick has utilised De Jong more frequently at the start of the current season. The 28-year-old has pulled the strings, orchestrating moves for the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. His contract at the Catalan club had been set to expire in 2026, but having extended his stay until 2029, Barca fans will be treated to a few more years of Dutch magic.
22 Nicolo Barella
Inter and Italy
Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella
Serie A – Inter Milan v Torino – San Siro, Milan, Italy – August 25, 2025 Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella in action REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Nicolo Barella has been at the heart of Inter’s recent successes on domestic soil and, for a brief moment last season, looked as though he might help drag the Nerazurri to a Champions League trophy. While the Italian side were subsequently thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the competition, that shouldn’t understate just how good their number 23 can be.
Barella is a physical presence in the middle of the pitch for Inter, but is also a gifted creator. Typically used as a box-to-box midfielder for both club and country, new manager Christian Chivu has asked him to operate as a playmaker in the new term, with Barella conducting from deep. And he’s played the part to perfection so far.
21 Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal and Spain
Martin Zubimendi vs Athletic Club
Arsenal, summer on summer, have been looking for the final piece of the puzzle. Martin Zubimendi, signed from Real Sociedad in 2025, is just that – his willingness to screen the back four allows those ahead of him to be free in their attacking endeavors. Not only that, but his line-breaking passes are a sight to behold, and his defensively sound nature makes him the perfect midfielder behind Declan Rice.
Still just 26 years of age, the Spaniard has plenty of years left in the tank – and if he stays with Mikel Arteta and Co in north London, he could be the difference maker when it comes to picking up silverware. He has a tendency to keep probing even when games are in danger of drifting into uncomfortable situations.
20 Joshua Kimmich
Bayern Munich and Germany
Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich brings leadership and a no-nonsense attitude to Bayern Munich, making him a vital cog in the machine at the Allianz Arena. Utilised either as a right-back or a holding midfielder, the German international is excellent in both roles, although Vincent Kompany has opted to play him in the engine room since taking the managerial post.
Racking up over 450 appearances for the Bavarian giants proves how important he has been since arriving at the club from Stuttgart in the summer of 2015, but the seasoned 30-year-old’s versatility for both club and country limits how high he can rank among out-and-out midfielders in this list.
19 Kevin De Bruyne
Napoli and Belgium
MixCollage-23-Aug-2025-09-19-PM-3887
While a seasoned Kevin De Bruyne might have his injury problems, there’s no denying that when he’s fit and firing, he’s long been among the best players in the world, let alone just for his position. The Belgium star has been an absolute magician in his time at Manchester City in the Premier League, and any season where he isn’t leading or close to leading the assists charts is a massive shock.
A custom image of Xavi Hernandez, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Scholes
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18
By
Grey Whitebloom
The playmaker has consistently been the best player on the best team in England over these past few years, and even for a well-oiled machine like Pep Guardiola’s side. The fact he no longer plies his trade in England proves that his time at the top is finally coming to an end, as he signed for Napoli in the summer of 2025. But the 34-year-old has made a fine start to life in Italy.
18 Martin Odegaard
Arsenal and Norway
odegaard arsenal
Martin Odegaard was in the news as a very young teenager, so highly rated he was. After a move to Real Madrid that didn’t work out, he has certainly found his home in north London, where he is loved by the majority of his club’s fans. Odegaard may be the Arsenal captain and, although he is perhaps not an obvious choice for a captaincy role, he has embraced it and continues to be the architect in Mikel Arteta’s midfield.
Odegaard has missed out on the Premier League title in three successive seasons in 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25, finishing second on the podium. However, part of the reason for this is how the Gunners suffered when he was out injured at the start of the last campaign. That’s how difficult it is for Arteta to replace the Norwegian, even if good solid strength in depth now means his importance is waning slightly at the start of this term.
17 Florian Wirtz
Liverpool and Germany
Florian Wirtz in action for Liverpool
Granted, there seems to be some teething issues with £116 million signing Florian Wirtz, who has gone missing in several games for champions Liverpool. But there can be no doubt about the quality he possesses, and should he get to grips with the physicality of football’s best division soon, he could well become the next De Bruyne, albeit for Liverpool.
During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, the 22-year-old won back-to-back Bundesliga Player of the Season awards. In that same timeline, he scored 21 goals and registered 23 assists in 63 appearances, and so it’s only a matter of time before the German international comes good and starts repaying some of his fee back with midfield masterclasses.
16 Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool and Argentina
alexis mac allister
The man who helped to orchestrate a World Cup win for Argentina in 2022. The ever-loveable Alexis Mac Allister enjoyed a standout 2022/23 campaign for both club and country, and it was no surprise that Liverpool paid Brighton & Hove Albion the handsome fee of £35 million to sign him two summers ago.
Jurgen Klopp Alexis Mac Allister
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Mac Allister won the League Cup in his first season as a Liverpool player and hoisted the Premier League title under Arne Slot a campaign later. He’s not had the best of starts to 2025/26 in a Liverpool side that has looked exposed, but the Argentine has the quality to rediscover the form which made him on the most elite footballers in world football.
15 Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United and Portugal
bruno fernandes man utd
Bruno Fernandes’ output is nothing short of remarkable. The Portugal star’s best quality is his consistent end product, having bagged more than 10 goals in each of his five seasons at Manchester United. His best season to date saw him score 18 goals and register 11 assists in 37 Premier League games alone in 2020/21, while nobody created more big chances in the English top division last term.
With an eye for a killer pass and a willingness to always try things in a bid to score, Fernandes has become a leader for this United team and is right up there with the very best in terms of numbers alone – ranking sixth in all-time Premier League big chances created after being in the league for just half a decade. If you’re looking for a modern-day goal-scoring midfielder, then look no further than the Portuguese superstar, who has also been tipped for a future in management, too.
14 Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool and Hungary
dominik szoboszlai
Arne Slot challenged Dominik Szoboszlai to chip in with more goals and assists last season, and that’s exactly what the Reds’ number eight started to do at a crucial stage of the title-winning campaign. Popping up with vital goals against Tottenham, Man City and Newcastle, the Hungarian has now added end product to his incredible work ethic.
The former RB Leipzig man came under fire for some below-par performances early in his Liverpool career. But now that he’s adapted to a number of different roles, the 24-year-old looks well worth the £60 million the Merseysiders spent to snatch him away from the Bundesliga.
An ultimate system player who chases the ball like a bloodhound, he’s recently filled in at right-back to prove he’s also extremely versatile, and his sumptuous free-kick against Arsenal proved how capable he can be from dead ball situations.
13 Scott McTominay
Napoli and Scotland
scott mctominay
Scott McTominay enjoyed his career-best season in Italy under Antonio Conte last time out, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. He was instrumental in helping Napoli to their second Scudetto in three years, claiming the Serie A’s Most Valuable Player award in the process.
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The Scotland international could have only dreamt of times like these when he was operating as one-half of the infamous ‘McFred’ partnership during some of Manchester United’s darkest hours in recent memory. But away from the rot at Old Trafford, the 28-year-old has been an absolute diamond at the heart of midfield.
12 Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle and Brazil
bruno guimaraes
When Newcastle’s takeover was first completed in 2021, the Magpies needed to invest in their squad desperately. Just over three years on, and this purchase is probably the best one they have made. Bruno Guimaraes has been nothing but stellar at St James’ Park and continues to earn rave reviews for his displays in the famous black and white.
The Brazilian has long been touted to leave the club to explore bigger and better things. But the number 39 has stayed put, and his passion has not subsided just because of these rumours. He continues to be excellent and had the honour of lifting the club’s first trophy in seven decades as club captain when they won the Carabao Cup against Liverpool in 2025.
11 Fabian Ruiz
Paris Saint-Germain and Spain
Fabian Ruiz PSG
Fabian Ruiz PSG
Fabian Ruiz might not be as eye-catching as some of his Paris Saint-Germain teammates, hence his 24th-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d’Or race, but the role that the Spaniard plays in his side cannot be understated. The 29-year-old has been a consistent presence in Luis Enrique’s team, providing balance to midfield and playing a crucial part in their domestic treble and Champions League success in 2024/25.
That built on successes with Spain at Euro 2024 and in the Nations League a year prior, with Ruiz equally important to La Roja heading to the 2026 World Cup. Should he add to any of the aforementioned silverware in the coming year, then a place near the top of this ranking isn’t completely out of question.
10 Federico Valverde
Real Madrid and Uruguay
Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde
One of Xabi Alonso’s trusted lieutenants, Federico Valverde is capable of doing anything and everything. The Uruguay international has operated out wide on the right whenever his manager has wanted some extra support going back, but is a really dynamic presence when given the opportunity in midfield.
Valverde has been a regular fixture in the Madrid team for several seasons now and will take on an even more important role alongside Tchouameni and Camavinga, with Kroos now retired. He’s the biggest hope for his nation also, as Valverde played brilliantly during Copa America in 2024. Marcelo Bielsa’s men fell short of lifting the trophy, but the Real Madrid player is likely going to finish with some sort of winners medal around his neck in 2026 if he can help push Los Blancos to their goals.
9 Joao Neves
Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal
Portugal’s Joao Neves
If you need a midfielder who will do anything and everything to keep his team a step ahead of the opposition – and do it so subtly that few even notice his brilliance – look no further than Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain’s metronome, Joao Neves, who quietly goes about his business in the engine room for club and country. Or even at right-back, a position he operates in with careful consideration.
A slight-framed warrior in midfield battles, the 21-year-old never looks out of his depth, as proven by his role in helping Les Parisiens’ first-ever Champions League win. He may not rack up many goals or assists, but his press resistance and ball retention are second to almost none. It’s just a shame his partner in crime is currently stealing all the limelight (more on that in a moment).
8 Rodri
Manchester City and Spain
Manchester City’s Rodri sliding in celebration of a goal
Rodri is arguably the best midfielder in the world, but something has to give when the unfit version hasn’t been at the peak of his powers for over a year now. When he arrived from Atletico Madrid, many anticipated him to be the long-term Fernandinho replacement at Manchester City, a holding player who would break up attacks and pass simply to his more creative teammates. Instead, the Spaniard’s impact on this team has been unrivalled.
In more recent years, he has added a goalscoring touch to his game, notably netting the winner to secure City’s first-ever Champions League title against Inter in 2023. Rodri is a serial winner, having been named Player of the Tournament during Spain’s Euro 2024-winning campaign just months after playing a key role in Man City’s record fourth consecutive Premier League title win – leading him to claim the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
7 Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich and Germany
Germany attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala celebrating
One of the finest young talents in the world, Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is only going to get better in the years to come. The Germany international looks set to be the heartbeat of his side at both club and international level, but is already producing the kind of end product that many players in their prime would be proud of the impact he has in the final third. Not only is he used to getting on the scoresheet, but his dribbling ability is nothing short of otherworldly.
If he continues at the pace he is currently going, then you would fancy him entering the Ballon d’Or conversation sooner rather than later. Musiala has done an admirable job from the left flank at times, but it’s painfully obvious that his future lies in an attacking midfield role, and there’s little doubt he will be one of the best in the world for the foreseeable future. He could be higher on this list if a recent injury hadn’t hampered his progress.
6 Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool and Netherlands
Ryan Gravenberch in action for Liverpool
After enduring a tricky latter half of the 2023/24 season under old chief Jurgen Klopp, Ryan Gravenberch has been sensational under Arne Slot over the last two seasons. The Dutchman wasn’t expected to be a regular starter but has slotted into the number six role alongside Mac Allister perfectly to quell any suggestions that the Reds need a new defensive midfielder.
The confidence and calmness of his displays in the engine room, complemented by his running power that is very reminiscent of a certain Yaya Toure and neat spins reflective of old Anfield favourite Thiago Alcantara, have been a breath of fresh air for supporters as he shows signs of turning back the clock to his Ajax heyday. He is easily among the Rodri’s and Rice’s of the world, and with just how imperious he has been recently, it was difficult not to get carried away and place him in the top three.
5 Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid and England
england bellingham
Jude Bellingham took to life at Borussia Dortmund like a duck to water, and his impressive development there saw him become the talk of the town before he made a big-money move to Real Madrid. Bellingham shone in his first season in the Spanish capital, ending it as a La Liga winner as well as a European champion following victory over former side Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Given that he still has way more than a decade of his career to go, and his prime years aren’t even close to being reached yet, there’s every chance the midfielder could even put himself in the conversation for a Ballon d’Or. Sure, if just last season was accounted for, then perhaps he wouldn’t be so high as he hasn’t quite hit the same heights, but it’s important to notice he’s been one of few shining lights in a trying Los Blancos. He’s recently returned from a shoulder injury, and looks better than ever — something which will be pivotal to manager Xabi Alonso as he bids for the La Liga title.
4 Vitinha
Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal
vitinha
The goalscoring exploits of this PSG team aside, their success wouldn’t be as fruitful without the Portuguese midfielder. A metronomic presence at the heart of the action, the fact that he’s clever in tight spaces allows the rest of his teammates to thrive elsewhere. If you still don’t understand how his maturity elevates his side’s play, it’s this simple: without Vitinha, there’s a case that PSG are nowhere near as well-oiled as they are with him stationed in the middle.
His rise from being a mere afterthought at Wolverhampton Wanderers to one of the best midfielders on the planet has been otherworldly – but his hard work and determination have disregarded his previous struggles. Now that he’s won the Nations League with Portugal, lifted the UEFA Super Cup, and looks set to continue to mop up all the trophies, a spot on the Ballon d’Or podium is now a very real possibility.
3 Moises Caicedo
Chelsea and Ecuador
Moises Caicedo celebrating after scoring for Chelsea
Moises Caicedo was on the receiving end of plenty of criticism during his debut season in Chelsea colours. As the most expensive signing in the league’s history up until this summer just gone, there were huge expectations placed on his young shoulders to tighten up a leaky Blues midfield instantly. He tried his best, of course, but the one-man mission often fell short; though he did finish the campaign as a Club World Cup winner.
Despite a tricky start to life at Stamford Bridge, the Ecuador destroyer picked up his performances immensely last season, and has continued to look ridiculously good last term and now. Caicedo has been a regular fixture of Enzo Maresca’s new regime at the club and has gone from strength-to-strength in west London as he looks to repay the £115m paid for him with interest slowly but surely.
2 Declan Rice
Arsenal and England
declan rice
Earning a big-money move to Arsenal in the summer 2023 after establishing himself on the world stage, Declan Rice has emerged as one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League. The England star helped his former side West Ham lift the Europa Conference League at the end of his final season at the London Stadium and enjoyed a fine debut campaign at the Emirates as Arsenal narrowly missed out on the title.
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Rice has several years at the top of his game still to come and will fancy his chances of picking up a few more trophies along the way. A cornerstone in both the Gunners’ and England’s engine room, the former Hammers skipper and fan favourite could either become the best holding midfielder or box-to-box midfielder in the world. Everything will depend on him being at the apex of his powers, though.
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1 Pedri
Barcelona and Spain
Pedri
They might have been searching for years, but Barcelona may have finally found their long-term successor to Andres Iniesta. Bought from Las Palmas back in 2019, Pedri has emerged as the next best thing in Spain, and when you look at the kind of impact he is already making on his side, you can see why the hype is justified, with manager Hansi Flick claiming he can’t be compared to anyone else in his position right now.
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His silky feet and progressive passing make him feel like a La Masia product, and it’s not a stretch to say that not only is he the future of Barcelona’s midfield, but Spain’s too. Before picking up an unfortunate injury, Pedri was a key player in eventual Euro 2024 winners Spain’s midfield. He recovered in time to become an integral part of Hansi Flick’s side though, and was pivotal as Los Cules reclaimed their La Liga title last time out.
World’s Best Midfielders Ranked
Rank
Name
Team
Nationality
1
Pedri
Barcelona
Spain
2
Declan Rice
Arsenal
England
3
Moises Caicedo
Chelsea
Ecuador
4
Vitinha
Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal
5
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid
England
6
Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool
Netherlands
7
Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich
Germany
8
Rodri
Manchester City
Spain
9
Joao Neves
Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal
10
Federico Valverde
Real Madrid
Uruguay
11
Fabian Ruiz
Paris Saint-Germain
Spain
12
Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle
Brazil
13
Scott McTominay
Napoli
Scotland
14
Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool
Hungary
15
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United
Portugal
16
Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool
Argentina
17
Florian Wirtz
Liverpool
Germany
18
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal
Norway
19
Kevin De Bruyne
Napoli
Belgium
20
Joshua Kimmich
Bayern Munich
Germany
21
Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal
Spain
22
Nicolo Barella
Inter
Italy
23
Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona
Netherlands
24
Sandro Tonali
Newcastle
Italy
25
Luka Modric
AC Milan
Croatia
All statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt – correct as of 06/10/2025