Football is built around the best central midfielders. You know how the old cliches go: centre-forwards who win you games and defences win you leagues… yet there is no denying the impact of the men in the middle of the park.
There are all kinds of different central midfielders, from box-to-box midfielders to deep-lying playmakers. In an area of increased physicality and more football than ever, however, the competition to be the best has never been this strong.
With some of the best clubs in the world stockpiling the best midfielders, we're in an intriguing era for this particular role on the field.
How our experts decided the best central midfielders in the world
All kinds of central midfielders were considered for this list – along with our lists of the best attacking midfielders in the world, along with the best defensive midfielders in the world. Our experts picked what you might call No.8s for this ones – players who are specifically tasked with all phases of central midfield play and not just defensive or attacking capabilities – in order to find the most all-rounded players in the world that play this role.
Our trusty team didn't just judge by their all-round game, either – though that helps. We considered how influential they are as a footballer, along with their current ability and form. Historic legacy played a part in this, too, as we wanted to reflect the last couple of seasons of central midfielders.
This is just one of several lists we've compiled on the best footballers in the world. Behind the midfield, we've ranked the best goalkeepers in the world, while in defence, and along with centre-halves, we've ranked the best centre-backs in the world, the best right-backs in the world, the best left-backs in the world and the best centre-backs in the world.
Ahead, we also have lists of forwards, including the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world. We also have a list of the best players in the world in any position. Let's go!
10. Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
Since bursting into Liverpool's first team with a stunning FA Cup strike in the Merseyside, Curtis Jones has gone onto take Steven Gerrard's No.17 shirt and become an option that no other midfielder could offer for Jurgen Klopp, as the ‘needle player’ between the lines.
Under Arne Slot, he's had a new lease of life. Jones is a complete midfielder now, with his passing ability, security on the ball and out-of-possession movement highlighted under the Dutchman's watch. England caps have followed – and he now looks like a shoo-in for Thomas Tuchel at international level, too.
9. Gavi (Barcelona)
A terrible ACL injury ruled Gavi out of Euro 2024 but the Spaniard has bounced back to become a key man under Hansi Flick for Barcelona once more. He really is the typical La Masia product: intelligent in and out of possession and able to turn his hand to just about any job needed in the team.
Xavi played him as a left-winger at times, while his build and stature makes him a figure who could become a No.6 one day, too. He really is a fantastic player to watch, too, with grace and elegance when he glides on the ball.
8. Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola has only ever signed two players that he’s worked with before: Thiago Alcantara and Ilkay Gundogan. It shows just how he values a midfielder capable of controlling the tempo in the centre of the park and raising the level of those around them.
But in truth, Gundogan has always done so much more than that. Manchester City’s ultimate generalist, capable of stepping into a lone No.6 role, playing at false nine or playing as a box-crashing No.8, Gundo took his education under Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund, to a new level in England. He’s a master of space, either finding it, protecting it or making it, and with age, he’s learned to always use the ball perfectly. The German can do everything: and he often does.
7. Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen)
The renaissance has been glorious. Picked on constantly during his time in England by everyone, from pundits to his own fans, Granit Xhaka matured into one of the most consistent and reliable midfielders on Earth under Mikel Arteta, before Arteta’s childhood chum pinched him to build his own team around.
Xabi Alonso has got the best out of Xhaka, using his supreme versatility to get the Swiss captain involved in every phase of play, from build-up to scoring scorchers on the edge of the box. Xhaka is cultured, composed and unafraid of a little bite: after an unbeaten season at Bayer Leverkusen, he’s finally getting his flowers, but he’s always been one of the best midfielders on Earth in the biggest games. Now, he’s doing it every week, too.
6. Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Warren Zaire-Emery still doesn't turn 19 until March of 2025 – and yet he's already the kingpin of Paris Saint-Germain, post-Messi, Mbappe and Neymar. The teenager is the complete midfielder and the kind of player that you build your team around for a decade.
Decisive at both ends of the pitch, the Frenchman possesses composure beyond his years with a towering frame to match, while his playmaking abilities have helped shoulder the loss of both Lionel Messi and Neymar over the last few summers. Already one of the best midfielders in the world, Zaire-Emery’s trajectory has the potential to be legendary.
5. Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
Arguably the best midfielder in Serie A in recent years, Nicolo Barella has become a fixture of Inter Milan’s midfield, the glue that holds everything together in Simone Inzaghi’s team. Excellent at both winning the ball back and keeping hold of it, the 27-year-old has played a key role in two Serie A titles since joining Inter permanently from Cagliari in 2020.
With 58 caps for Italy and a European Championship title to his name, Barella is certainly amongst the most accomplished midfielders in Europe.
4. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
With his hybrid name, a mix of Scotland and Argentina, Alexis Mac Allister is suitably hard-working and creative, a mix of industry and guile. The Liverpool midfielder has established himself as a key player at Anfield, first under Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot.
Mac Allister has also shone internationally, winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina. An excellent passer with an impressive ability to read the game and an eye for goal, it’s no surprise that he has become a world-class midfielder over the last few years.
3. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
While Real Madrid's superstar project has stuttered this season, you can still set your watch by Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan is the heartbeat of any team he plays in, with infectious running power and a boundless engine – but he's far more than that, too.
Valverde is careful on the ball, clever in the positions he takes up and in Dani Carvajal's absence, Carlo Ancelotti has even turned to him to fill in at right-back. Few footballers are as trusted or as adored.
2. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
While football is often a battle of hard work and talent – and assembling a squad takes a little of both – Bernardo Silva is any manager's dream. An ability on the ball almost bestowed upon him by a higher power, yet the will to run, to drive and to battle with the best of them.
Bernardo may be Manchester City's most important player: when he performs, everything runs smoothly. He's been a right-winger, a central midfielder in a double-pivot and even trusted at left-back. Though things haven't been so rosy at the Etihad lately, he's still the boss's favourite, we'd wager.
1. Pedri (Barcelona)
After Xavi and Andres Iniesta left Barcelona it felt like the end of an era, like diminutive midfielders with such technical brilliance might never be seen again. But it was not long before Barca found another gem – though not from La Masia – when they plucked Pedri from Las Palmas in 2020.
The Spain international is a graceful, aesthetically pleasing footballer in the mould of Xavi, with the dribbling ability of Iniesta and the work rate to match. He has occasionally been blighted by injuries - as at Euro 2024 - but the future looks exceptionally bright for the 22-year-old.
