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. 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
Rank
Player
Age
Club
Nation
Pedri
22
Barcelona
Spain
Jude Bellingham
22
Real Madrid
England
Rodri
29
Man City
Spain
Declan Rice
26
Arsenal
England
Jamal Musiala
22
Bayern Munich
Germany
Ryan Gravenberch
23
Liverpool
Netherlands
Florian Wirtz
22
Liverpool
Germany
Federico Valverde
27
Real Madrid
Uruguay
Dominik Szoboszlai
24
Liverpool
Hungary
Xavi Simons
22
Tottenham
Netherlands
Nicolo Barella
28
Inter Milan
Italy
Bruno Fernandes
31
Man Utd
Portugal
Kevin De Bruyne
34
Napoli
Belgium
Martin Odegaard
26
Arsenal
Norway
Scott McTominay
28
Napoli
Scotland
15 Scott McTominay Napoli and Scotland
Scott McTominay has shown Man Utd what they have been missing after leaving Old Trafford for Napoli in 2024.
The Scotland international starred in his first season in Italy, being named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player after helping Napoli to the title. His displays were even recognised at the 2025 Ballon d’Or, where he finished 18th.
14 Martin Odegaard Arsenal and Norway
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has had to battle back from numerous injury setbacks over the last 12 months.
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.
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.
13 Kevin De Bruyne Napoli and Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne may well be past his peak, but he is still showing his world-class ability after leaving Man City for Serie A champions Napoli.
The 34-year-old still has what it takes to be a leading figure, whether that be at club or international level, and has already scored numerous goals and registered assists for his new employers.
12 Bruno Fernandes Man Utd and Portugal
Bruno Fernandes has been Man Utd’s shining light in recent memory, with the Portugal international arguably the only world-class player on the books at Old Trafford.
At his best in an attacking midfield role, Pep Guardiola has even called Fernandes one of the best creative players he has ever seen.
11 Nicolo Barella Inter Milan and Italy
Nicolo Barella has long been regarded as a top-level talent, but has truly come to the fore at Inter Milan in the last couple of seasons.
The Italy international is now in his prime and pulls the strings like few others can, particularly in Serie A, where he ranks highly for through balls, 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.
10 Xavi Simons Tottenham and Netherlands
Xavi Simons 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 showed why he was one of the most potent attacking midfielders in Europe, with Tottenham hijacking Chelsea’s move with a summer transfer worth £51m.
9 Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool and Hungary
As part of a relentless Liverpool side, Dominik Szoboszlai has become a giant in the Reds midfield.
The Hungarian has already improved his goal threat from his first season at Anfield, coming amid a slight change in position, showcasing his versatility in a more advanced role under Arne Slot.
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.
8 Federico Valverde Real Madrid and Uruguay
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”. 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.
7 Florian Wirtz Liverpool and Germany
Florian Wirtz had a magical couple of seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, which resulted in Liverpool spending an initial £100m on his services in 2025.
Despite often playing behind the main strikers, Wirtz is still a goal machine in attacking midfield. Still a youngster at 22, it is frightening to think where Wirtz could go if he can stay injury-free and adapt to the demands of English football.
6 Jamal Musiala Bayern Munich and Germany
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.
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.
Trophy
Years won
German Bundesliga
2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2024/25
Champions League
2019/20
UEFA Super Cup
2020/21
FIFA Club World Cup
2021