Although they rarely get the credit and spotlight forwards receive, midfielders are often at the center of game-winning plays in soccer.
Soccer is truly a team sport. Each team fields 11 players that all must execute their own position-specific duties while also working together to defend and attack. Some roles on the pitch are easy to understand; goalkeepers must prevent the other team from scoring while a forward aims to net goals. Midfielders, though, do so much work in the middle of the field that summarizing their impact often does not do them justice.
Fortunately, soccer currently has generational midfielders dominating international and domestic matches that perfectly highlight what midfielders accomplish on the field each game.
The best midfielders control a soccer game. Of all the positions on the pitch, midfielders typically retain the most possession throughout 90 minutes, working to either slow down or speed up the pace of a match. Ultimately, midfielders aim to carry the ball up the field and create scoring chances for the forwards on the team.
There are three different types of midfielders in soccer: attacking, central, and defending. Each position plays a slightly different role that can either win or lose a game for their team.
Attacking midfielders
Attacking midfielders are, of course, the most forward-minded midfielders. They are the players pushing forward to help facilitate goal scoring opportunities with brilliant through balls or crosses that forwards (hopefully) send into the back of the net. Depending on a team's structure, they can even score plenty of goals on their own if the opportunity arises—just look at Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid.
Central midfielders
Central midfielders are the lifeblood of a soccer team. They control the tempo of the game, dominate possession, and create space for the players around them to thrive. One second they are making a line-breaking pass and then the next, they are dropping back to help with defensive efforts. Croatian and Real Madrid legend, Luka Modrić, won the Ballon d'Or in 2018 for his outstanding midfield play that led to Real Madrid's 13th Champions League title and Croatia's second-place World Cup finish.
Defensive midfielders
Defensive midfielders are the last line of defense for their team before their back line has to step in. Not only must they work with their own central and attacking midfielders to control play, but they are also tasked with slowing down the opposing team's offensive efforts. The best defensive midfielders excel at timely challenges to stop an opponent's momentum and win the ball back for their side.
Responsibilities of the Midfielder
The midfield is the engine of the team because of the sheer amount of work they must do to effectively link defense and attack. Fitness is a key asset for this role as midfielders are expected to run and run and run to ensure they support their teammates up and down the pitch for 90 plus minutes.
Distribution
As the playmakers, midfielders are responsible for controlling the tempo of the game. Their job is to receive the ball from defense and pass it forward to the attack. Midfielders with great vision and passing accuracy can help dictate the game and unlock the opposition’s defense.
Defending
When the other team is attacking, the midfield’s role is to help protect their defense and recover possession of the ball. They do this by blocking the opposition’s passing lanes, intercepting passes and making tackles. Once the ball is won back they can then initiate their own team’s attacks.
Attacking
On winning the ball, midfielders turn defense into attack by passing the ball or dribbling it into the final third of the pitch. Attacking passes to the forwards can be via long passes, through balls or crosses in from the wings. Midfielders can provide additional attacking threat by taking on shots from long range or by making timed runs into the box to meet a pass and apply the finish.
Keeping Possession
If a good pass forward is not available or if the team is looking to maintain the scoreline, the midfield’s role is to keep the ball and recycle possession. While doing this, they will come under pressure from the opposition, so good ball control and an understanding of who is around them is essential.
Best midfielders to watch
If you’re looking to learn the role of midfield or just want to be entertained, here are some suggestions of players to check out from the game’s past and present.
Defensive Midfield (DM)
One legendary DM is Sergio Busquets who was integral to Barcelona and Spain’s domination of the game between 2008-2012. Described in an interview with The Guardian as “One of the best midfielders in world football and the best defensive midfielder in Spain’s history,” by none other than Xavi, his composure under pressure, ability to intercept passes, and precise short-passing helped his teams sweep aside the competition.
Another Spaniard who shows how important the role of DM can be to their team is Manchester City’s Rodri. Crowned winner of the Ballon d'Or thanks to dominant displays throughout 2023-24, he helped his club side win the Treble and his national team the UEFA European Championships. His absence in 2024-25 due to injury has had a considerable effect on City’s ability to win soccer matches. Since losing him, Pep Guardiola’s win percentage in the Premier League has dropped from 77% to 55% according to GiveMeSport.
Central Midfield (CM)
The central midfielder balances their responsibilities between defense and offence. Also known as a box-to-box midfielder they will break up play on the edge of their area and then surge forward initiating attacks.
Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard is one of the first names that comes to mind when one thinks of a classic player who embodies this all-out action role. Between 2000-2014, he was imperious for Liverpool. So influential was he as a player that he occasionally appeared to win matches all on his own such as the 2006 FA Cup Final aka ‘The Gerrard Final’.
A current star who boasts similar qualities to Steven Gerrard is fellow Englishman Declan Rice. The Arsenal player perfectly balances his minefield responsibilities and is equally effective winning the ball back as he is driving the team forward with his running and passing abilities.
Attacking Midfield (AM)
Frequently the most talented and exciting players, these superstars are responsible for orchestrating attacks, creating chances for others and plundering goals for themselves.
The roll call of the world’s greatest-ever players is full of attacking midfielders. Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Cruyff and Ronaldinho all played the No.10 role to perfection. Of them all, Diego Maradona was arguably the best - well, certainly the most controversial. El Diego was renowned for his low centre of gravity that enabled him to sashay past defenders like they were training cones. His second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup semi-final saw him pick up the ball on the halfway line, dribble past five players and then the goalkeeper before slotting home. Voted FIFA’s Goal of the Century, this moment encapsulates the very apex of attacking midfield play.
In the current field, Germany and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz stands out as one of the most exciting up-and-coming players in this position. According to Bundesliga.com, it is thanks to his “extraordinary running power that Wirtz makes sure he is in the right place at the right time to bring his decisive skills to bear”. These abilities helped Leverkusen win their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2023-24, in which he contributed 11 goals and 11 assists as the team navigated the entire season unbeaten domestically. He is currently valued at $135m according to Transfer Markt which shows how important the talent to unpick defenses is considered in world soccer.
How to Play As A Midfielder
If you want to emulate your heroes and become a great midfielder, you should work on improving your dribbling in tight spaces, turns and first touch. Check out this video with five drills to follow that will help improve your skills in this area.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as What Do Midfielders Do in Soccer?.
