The Best 15 Midfielders in World Football Ranked (2025)
da pinup bet： 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.
da fezbet： 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
Top 15 midfielders in the world
Rank
Player
Age
Club
Nation
1
Pedri
22
Barcelona
Spain
2
Jude Bellingham
22
Real Madrid
England
3
Moises Caicedo
24
Chelsea
Ecuador
4
Declan Rice
26
Arsenal
England
5
Vitinha
25
PSG
Portugal
6
Rodri
29
Man City
Spain
7
Jamal Musiala
22
Bayern Munich
Germany
8
Federico Valverde
27
Real Madrid
Uruguay
9
Dominik Szoboszlai
25
Liverpool
Hungary
10
Joao Neves
21
PSG
Portugal
11
Scott McTominay
28
Napoli
Scotland
12
Bruno Fernandes
31
Man Utd
Portugal
13
Kevin De Bruyne
34
Napoli
Belgium
14
Martin Odegaard
26
Arsenal
Norway
15
Florian Wirtz
22
Liverpool
Germany
15 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.
However, so far, he has struggled in the Premier League, showing signs of brilliance in the Champions League.
Florian Wirtz: Major titles won
Trophy
Years won
German Bundesliga
2023/24
DFB-Pokal
2023/24
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.
Martin Odegaard: Major titles won
Trophy
Years won
Copa del Rey
2019/20
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.
Kevin De Bruyne: Major titles won
Trophy
Years won
Premier League
2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24
Belgian Pro League
2010/11
FA Cup
2018/19, 2022/23
EFL Cup
2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21
DFB-Pokal
2014/15
Belgian Cup
2008/09
Champions League
2022/23
FIFA Club World Cup
2023
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.
Bruno Fernandes: Major titles won
Trophy
Years won
Nations League
2019, 2025
FA Cup
2024
EFL Cup
2023
Portuguese Cup
2019
Portuguese Super Cup
2017/18, 2018/19
11 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 and his sensational bicycle kick helped Scotland reach the World Cup.
10 Joao Neves PSG and Portugal
Joao Neves’ first full season at the Parc des Princes couldn’t have gone any better, playing regularly under Luis Enrique and lifting all there was to be won, including the Champions League.
The ball-playing midfielder was key to PSG’s success in Europe and has continued to star in the French capital, making his initial £50m move from Benfica look a real bargain.
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 improved on 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.
Dominik Szoboszlai: Major titles won
Trophy
Years won
Premier League
2024/25
Austrian Bundesliga
2017/18, 2018/19, 20219/20, 2020/21
DFB-Pokal
2021/22, 2022/23
Austrian Cup
2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21
EFL Cup
2023/24
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.
Federico Valverde: Major titles won
Trophy
Years won
La Liga
2019/20, 2021/22, 2023/24
Uruguayan Primera Division
2015/16
Copa del Rey
2022/23
Champions League
2021/22, 2023/24
UEFA Super Cup
2022/23, 2024/25
FIFA Club World Cup
2019, 2023
Interncontinental Cup
2023/24
7 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.
Jamal Musiala: Major titles won
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
6 Rodri Man City and Spain
2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has unfortunately suffered some injury issues, 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.
Man City’s form – and season – fell apart following the Spaniard’s layoff, and there is arguably no player as good as he is in his position of defensive midfield. 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.
Rodri: Major titles won
Trophy
Years won
Premier League
2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24
FA Cup
2022/23
EFL Cup
2019/20, 2020/21
Champions League
2022/23
UEFA Super Cup
2018/19, 2023/24
FIFA Club World Cup
2024
European Championship
2024
UEFA Nations League
2023