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 – and 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.
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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. Let's go!
10. Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain)
Fabian Ruiz’s trajectory isn’t common for a Spanish midfielder, going from Real Betis to Serie A with Napoli, before the big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being one of the best in his position for almost a decade now, though, he’s finally getting his recognition, thanks to the part he played for Spain over the summer.
Tall, physical and technically blessed, Fabian was perhaps La Roja’s standout player. Now 28, he’s coming into his prime.
9. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
With six Champions League titles, a Ballon d’Or, a runner up and a third-placed World Cup finish with Croatia – to suggest Luka Modric isn’t still one of the greatest midfielders to ever live would be foolish.
Blessed with an ability matched by few ever and a longevity matched by ever fewer, Modric’s ability to control the game from midfield offered a stable foundation for the most dominant team in European history to make the Champions League their own over the past decade. Now in the final knockings of his career, the 39-year-old’s appreciation by fans and pundits alike will only increase as time goes on. We may never see another player like him again.
8. Gavi (Barcelona)
La Masia once again hit the nail on the head when Gavi rolled off the production line. Having turned 17 just two weeks prior, the Spaniard made his senior debut in 2021 and has been an ever-present for both club and country ever since.
A dribbling wizz with passing ability to match, Gavi fits the mould of a Barcelona midfielder, drawing comparisons to Xavi and Andres Iniesta alongside fellow academy graduate Pedri. The midfielder has already amassed 27 caps for Spain despite only turning 20 over the summer and would have undoubtedly played a starring role in the Euro 2024 triumph were it not for an injury.
7. Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
An exciting young French talent rising through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain Germain has become fairly common over the last decade, although Warren Zaire-Emery stands head and shoulders above his predecessors as the most intriguing. The 18-year-old has been one of the first names on the team sheet for over a year now, excelling in the Champions League with remarkable consistency before even being able to buy a beer.
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.
6. 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.
5. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Alexis Mac Allister has gone from strength to strength over the past few seasons, from establishing himself as one of the most exciting talents in Europe at Brighton to dominating midfields on a continental stage for Liverpool.
A World Cup winner, Mac Allister is blessed with immense technical ability and a tenacious defensive prowess to match: the definition of the modern-day midfielder. At the age of just 25, it’s also entirely possible that the Argentine’s best years are still to come…
4. Pedri (Barcelona)
Still technically a wonderkid, Pedri has racked up almost 150 senior appearances for Barcelona, despite several hamstring injuries and would have been central to La Roja’s summer successes but for another ssetback.
At his best when he is given free rein to move between the lines and utilise his excellent technical skills, his composure on the ball and playmaking ability mean he has the tools to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta at Camp Nou for years to come. We’re just praying he can shake off these injury woes.
3. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
One of Pep Guardiola’s favourite players, Silva’s commitment, versatility, work-rate and intelligence on the pitch have been vital in Manchester City’s rise to a footballing superpower.
Included on this list as a central midfielder, the Portuguese is an elite talent across the park, with Pep and City are yet to find a position that he doesn’t excel in. With six Premier League winners’ medals banked, there has been recent speculation that the 29-year-old may be up for a new challenge in the near future.
2. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
The Uruguay star is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who is a vital cog in the dominant Real Madrid team that have again been crowned champions of Europe. As well as combining strong tackling with his incredible stamina, he also has a habit of scoring on the big occasion, with his volley in the quarter-final win over Manchester City voted the best Champions League goal of last season.
He’s simply irrepressible. His shifts on the right-wing show that he’s able to turn his hand to whatever Carlo Ancelotti demands – and he offers the workrate that enables Los Blancos’ superstars to thrive.
1. 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.
