The Best 15 Midfielders in World Football Ranked (2025)

Summary

• From playmakers to defensive destroyers, midfielders are the heartbeat of any football team.
• Stars from Real Madrid, Arsenal and Man City battle it out to top our list, with Declan Rice cracking the top five for the first time.
• Young talents like Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala are already among the best despite being early in their careers.

Some of the best players in the world are in football’s engine room, possessing an array of qualities, whether that be protecting their defence, dictating the flow of the play or creating goalscoring opportunities for teammates.

With such a range of playing styles across the midfield spectrum, working out the best in this position can be an unenviable task. But we have given it a go anyway, with plenty of star power in this list of the top 15 midfielders in the world today.

Ranking factors

To help rank the players in order, we have considered the following criteria:

• Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months
• Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their teams’ performances
• Role – how unique their skillset is
• Reputation – what others say about them

Best midfielders in the world right now: in pictures

15

Luka Modric

Centre-midfielder, Real Madrid

There’s no doubting Luka Modric’s status as a world-class footballer. After all, he is the man who (albeit briefly) stopped the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon d’Or duopoly in 2018, and has been central to six Champions League-winning campaigns at Real Madrid.

Despite being 39, his effectiveness in one of the best teams in Europe has barely waned, and he is still capable of popping up with a spectacular goal, as evidenced by his screamer against Girona in February 2025.

Few can rival Modric’s longevity at this level, so he has to be considered as one of the finest in his position.

14

Kevin De Bruyne

Attacking midfielder, Manchester City

Another player past the peak of their powers is Kevin De Bruyne. Thankfully, his peak was so high that he could still comfortably walk into pretty much any team in Europe.

Bringing an end to his Manchester City career in the summer means that he is now deemed disposable, but the 31-year-old still has what it takes to be a leading figure, whether that be at club or international level.

His next step may define which direction he’ll take in these rankings, with MLS and the Saudi Pro League mooted as potential destinations for the Belgian.

But whoever is lucky enough to acquire his services this summer will still be getting a world-class player, even if his days ripping up Premier League record books look numbered.

13

Nicolo Barella

Centre-midfielder, Inter

Nicolo Barella has long been regarded as a top-level talent, but has truly come to the fore at Inter in the last couple of seasons.

Hoping to lead the Nerazzurri to another Scudetto this year, the Italy international is now in his prime at 28, and pulls the strings like few others can, particularly in Serie A.

As per FBref, he currently leads the Italian top flight for through balls and also ranks highly for switches and key passes, highlighting Barella’s status as an elite passer for one of the finest sides on the continent.

Having been praised by his national team manager as well, it is clear that Barella is a cut above the rest.

12

Xavi Simons

Attacking midfielder, RB Leipzig

Xavi Simons has repaid RB Leipzig’s faith in him after he was signed permanently from Paris Saint-Germain by delivering perhaps his finest season to date.

His form has shown that he is one of the most potent attacking midfielders in Europe, with 16 goals and assists capped by a match-winning double against Wolfsburg in mid-April.

Off the back of a European Championship where he almost steered an unfancied Netherlands side to the final, Simons is arguably putting himself in the shop window by continuing to show signs of progress in the German Bundesliga – made more impressive having sat out a chunky period with an ankle injury.

Still only 22, the fact his potency in front of goal has been remarkably consistent suggests he is destined for the top, and he is surely ready for a crack at an elite team.

11

Dominik Szoboszlai

Centre-midfielder, Liverpool

As part of a relentless Liverpool side in 2024/25, Dominik Szoboszlai has become a giant in the Reds midfield.

The Hungarian has already improved his goal threat from his first season at Anfield, this coming amid a slight change in position, showcasing his versatility in a more advanced role under Arne Slotv.

Now looking right at home in England, Szoboszlai is on the path to greatness on Merseyside, with his manager labelling him as “unbelievable” amid his role in Liverpool comfortably sauntering to the Premier League title.

10

Federico Valverde

Centre-midfielder, Real Madrid

A versatile and clinical technician, Federico Valverde hardly looks out of place among the best in the game following his recent performances for Real Madrid.

An almost guaranteed starter for one of the best teams in the world, there’s little to suggest there is anything other than the highest respect from his manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

In fact, the Italian has dubbed the Uruguayan as “the most complete player in football”. Given he has played across central midfield for Los Blancos, as well as at right-back in the absence of Dani Carvajal, he appears to have an unrivalled adaptability that has been priceless for Real in their hour of need.

As of now, it is difficult to picture a Real Madrid side succeeding without him, as displayed through his vital winner against Athletic Club as the team’s title bid looked set to fall flat.

9

Oihan Sancet

Attacking midfielder, Athletic Club

One of the breakthrough talents of the past few seasons, Oihan Sancet has truly announced himself at the top level with a goal-filled campaign that could yet spur Athletic Club to European glory.

Scorer of a crucial strike to hand Athletic a quarter-final lead against Rangers in the Europa League, Sancet has proved his talents across multiple competitions this term, with only Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe and Osasuna striker Ante Budimir ahead of him in the La Liga scoring charts.

Links to the likes of Liverpool are a hint at where he could yet elevate his career further, though with Athletic edging towards the Champions League, perhaps sticking around will allow him to flourish.

8

Martin Odegaard

Attacking midfielder, Arsenal

It has been an up-and-down season for Martin Odegaard, battling back from injury and a lack of form to help lead Arsenal’s charge for the Champions League.

In a way, his temporary unavailability to Mikel Arteta’s side only served to prove how vital he is to the Gunners, who suffered creatively during his absence in attacking midfield.

While his goalscoring record leaves a lot to be desired, it is clear that he remains a top talent with an almost exclusive skillset – one that helped defeat former club Real Madrid over two legs on Europe’s biggest stage.

Labelled as “world class” by Paul Merson, the Arsenal star possessed the maturity and level of talent that handed him the captaincy, and could yet be the man to lead the Gunners to their next trophy under Arteta having continued to improve at the Emirates Stadium.

7

Jamal Musiala

Attacking midfielder, Bayern Munich

Jamal Musiala’s rise to stardom in Germany has been a rapid one, while his prominence in a Bayern Munich side, of all sides, is an illustration of his current status in the game.

Being able to dominate games for the Bavarians or on the international stage for Die Mannschaft is a sign of his rightful place at the elite level, and one wonders whether Bayern would still be in the Champions League were it not for the injury that ruled him out of their quarter-final against Inter.

Statistically one of the best chance creators in the league from midfield, Musiala will hope to continue to blossom under the wing of Vincent Kompany, having worked his way up to the top in a short space of time.

6

Ryan Gravenberch

Defensive midfielder, Liverpool

Having slotted seamlessly into defensive midfield for a Liverpool team that threatened to win the lot this season, Ryan Gravenberch’s stock as an all-around midfielder has risen considerably since the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

His newfound defensive-midfield role under Slot this term has coincided with (or more accurately, led to) Liverpool racing towards Premier League glory, starting every top-flight game – demonstrating his importance to the team.

And given Liverpool’s dominance during the campaign, it has got to the point where the Reds wouldn’t swap him for anyone.

5

Florian Wirtz

Attacking midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen

Florian Wirtz has had a magical couple of seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, even if last year’s unbeaten double winners won’t be reaching the heights of 2023/24 this time around.

Despite often playing behind the main strikers, Wirtz is still a goal machine in attacking midfield, closing in on 70 goal contributions since the start of last season.

Like Musiala, his level of chance creation is also impressive, with only a handful of his counterparts in the German Bundesliga able to match him.

Still a youngster at 21, it is frightening to think where Wirtz could go if he can stay injury-free. Leverkusen have been so dominant in the last 24 months, they may well have succeeded without him, but he arguably adds an edge that few in the game could replicate, despite his tender age.

4

Declan Rice

Centre-midfielder, Arsenal

Declan Rice’s so-so season exploded into life following his free-kick double against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Set-piece heroics aside, Rice has proved to be a colossus in the middle for Arsenal since his £105m move from West Ham United in 2023, and his class was again on show at the Bernabeu in the return leg, in the clearest sign yet that he belongs at this level.

A near-ever-present under Mikel Arteta this term, he is clearly a vital cog in the Gunners machine, and having also excelled with England in the recent past, he is continuing to develop into one of the game’s finest centre-midfielders.

The next step will likely be winning big trophies, which could come sooner rather than later in north London.

3

Rodri

Defensive midfielder, Manchester City

Ballon d’Or holder Rodri has unfortunately been sidelined for a while now, having picked up an ACL tear back in September 2024.

But he is perhaps the epitome of someone who shapes how his team plays and performs, as illustrated by his long unbeaten run when starting for Manchester City, which came to an end after the 2024 FA Cup final.

And with Man City’s form – and season – falling apart following the Spaniard’s layoff, there is arguably no player as good as he is in his position of defensive midfield, especially when considering the contrasting fortunes of his club when he is in or out of the team.

But having been out for so long, he perhaps relies on returning to top form to reclaim his place as the best midfielder in the game.

2

Jude Bellingham

Attacking midfielder, Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham may only be 21, but he is a Champions League and La Liga winner, and starring for a Real Madrid side wearing the iconic No 5, no less.

More trophies will surely follow in Madrid, and having shown his ability to drag his country into a major quarter-final when it mattered most, this is a player who can turn a game in an instant.

Playing around players like Vinicius Junior and Luka Modric, it would be easy to be shown up in such a star-studded side, but it is clear he has not only held his own, but elevated Real Madrid’s overall level – which is no mean feat.

Starting his first season in the Spanish capital with a bang, it is obvious Bellingham belongs at the top level and is one of the talents of his generation. He would walk into any midfield in the world.

1

Pedri

Centre-midfielder, Barcelona

When you’re starting nearly every game in midfield for Barcelona, you’re probably pretty damn good. And Pedri is just that, helping steer the Catalans towards the La Liga title.

In doing so, he has gained praise from his manager, teammates and former Barca legends. Xavi played him whenever he was fit, even as a teenager; Hansi Flick has been left lost for words from his performances in the past; while Dani Olmo has expressed how easy it is to play with him.

These are comments typically reserved for living legends, Ballon d’Or winners or seasoned greats – not a 22-year-old kid. However, there’s no reason Pedri cannot become all of those things in the near future.

Already a champion domestically and internationally, Pedri has had experiences in his short career that very few can compare. You get the sense that the midfielder still has some way to go yet, and a Champions League crown in May would only serve to promote his status in the game.

Statistics in this article are correct as of 21st April 2025.