Top 25 best midfielders in the world 2023 - Global ranking

Top 25 best midfielders in the world 2023 - Global ranking

Ciku Njuguna, Jackline Wangare
February 6, 2023 at 4:51 PM

Midfielders are generally considered the backbone of any squad. Generally, the best midfielders in the world are good at building the play, keeping control of the ball and breaking defences. So, who is the no.1 midfielder? Find out some of the best midfielders in football and much more.

best midfielders in the world
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There are different positions that midfielders can play. They act as links between the defence and attack. They can also play in central, defensive, attacking or the flanks. So, who is the best midfielder in the world in 2023?

Top 25 best midfielders in the world in 2023

Our list of best midfielders in the world's soccer is based on the players' input and achievements for their clubs and national teams and their overall contribution to football.

25. Merino

best midfielders in the world
Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad reacts during the La Liga Santander match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club at Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain. Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mikel Merino Zazón
  • Date of birth: 22 June 1996
  • Age: 26 years old (as of 2022)
  • Place of birth: Pamplona, Spain
  • Nationality: Nationality: Spanish
  • Height: 1.89 m
  • Club: Real Sociedad
  • Overall rating: 83

Merino signed a contract with his current team in 2018, valid until 2025. He was a member of the Spain under-19 team that triumphed in Greece in the 2015 UEFA European Championship.

24. Rúben Neves

the best cam in the world
Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers applauds fans following the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium. Photo: Joe Prior
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rúben Diogo da Silva Neves
  • Date of birth: 13 March 1997
  • Age: 25 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Mozelos, Portugal
  • Nationality: Portuguese
  • Height: 1.8 m
  • Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • Overall rating: 83

Ruben Neves made his first-team debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017 at 17. In England, he has played more than 200 times and won the EFL Championship in his first season.

23. Bruno Moura

midfielder in football
Bruno Guimaraes Rodriguez Moura of Brazil before the match between Brazil U23 and Uruguay U23 as part of CONMEBOL Preolimpico 2020 at Estadio Alfonso Lopez in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Photo: MB Media
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Bruno Guimarães Moura
  • Date of birth: 16 November 1997
  • Age: 25 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Nationality: Brazilian
  • Height: 1.82 m
  • Club: Newcastle United
  • Overall rating: 83

Bruno Guimares Moura is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the English Premier League. He joined the club in 2022, and his contract runs through 2026. He also plays for the Brazilian National Team.

22. Carlos Soler

best midfielders in the world
Carlos Soler celebrates his goal during the French Cup football match. Photo: Jean Catuffe
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Carlos Soler Barragán
  • Date of birth: 2 January 1997
  • Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Valencia, Spain
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Height: 1.81 m
  • Club: Paris Saint-Germain
  • Overall rating: 83

Soler began his professional career at Valencia, where he appeared in 226 games and scored 36 goals. He signed with Paris Saint-Germain in 2022, and his contract runs until 2027.

21. Rodrigo De Paul

best midfielders of all time
Rodrigo de Paul in action during the La Liga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Atletico de Madrid at El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona, Spain. Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rodrigo Javier De Paul
  • Date of birth: 24 May 1994
  • Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Sarandí, Argentina
  • Nationality: Argentine-Italian
  • Height: 1.8 m
  • Club: Atlético de Madrid
  • Overall rating: 84

De Paul played his first professional match in February 2013. A month later, he scored his first goal. He signed with his current club in 2021, and his contract runs until 2026. He also plays for Argentina's National Football Team in international competitions, wearing the number 7.

20. Jude Bellingham

best central midfielders
Jude Bellingham of Dortmund looks on during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund at BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany. Photo: Lars Baron
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jude Victor William Bellingham
  • Date of birth: 29 June 2003
  • Age: 19 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Stourbridge, United Kingdom
  • Nationality: British-English
  • Height: 1.86 m
  • Club: Borussia Dortmund
  • Overall rating: 84

Bellingham, who joined Birmingham City as an under-8 player, became the club's youngest first-team player when he made his senior debut in August 2019 at the age of 16. He joined Borussia Dortmund in July 2020 and became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer in his first competitive match.

19. Jorginho

best central midfielders
Jorginho of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield in Liverpool, England. Photo: Chelsea FC
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jorge Luiz Frello Filho
  • Date of birth: 20 December 1991
  • Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Imbituba, Brazil
  • Nationality: Italian, Brazilian
  • Height: 1.80m
  • Club: Chelsea
  • Overall rating: 84

Jorginho is a technically gifted defensive midfielder who prefers playing as a focal point and controlling the tempo of play. He won the 2021 Champions League and Club World Cup with Chelsea and the 2020 Euros with Italy.

The talented footballer was voted UEFA Men's Player of the Year. In addition, he is considered the best defensive midfielder in football.

18. Mateo Kovačić

best midfielders in the world
Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea FC at City Ground in Nottingham, United Kingdom. Photo: Mick Walker
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mateo Kovačić
  • Date of birth: 6 May 1994
  • Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Linz, Austria
  • Nationality: Austrian-Croatian
  • Height: 1.77 m
  • Club: Chelsea
  • Overall rating: 84

Mateo is undoubtedly one of the Premier League's most talented and best central midfielders. He is well-known for his quick combinations. Earlier in his career, he also adapted to playing wide on the left or as an attacking midfielder.

17. Hakan Çalhanoğlu

best midfielders of all time
Hakan Calhanoglu of Fc Internazionale looks on during the Coppa Italia quarter-final match between Fc Internazionale and Atalanta Bc. Photo: Marco Canoniero
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Hakan Çalhanoğlu
  • Date of birth: 8 February 1994
  • Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Mannheim, Germany
  • Nationality: German-Turkish
  • Height: 1.78 m
  • Club: Inter Milan
  • Overall rating: 84

Hakan is well-known as a free-kick specialist, capable of scoring from a variety of angles and distances. He made his senior debut in 2013 and was a member of the squads that competed in UEFA Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.

16. Youri Tielemans

best midfielders in the world
Youri Tielemans of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City at City Ground in Nottingham, England. Photo: Catherine Ivill
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Youri Marion A. Tielemans
  • Date of birth: 7 May 1997
  • Age: 25 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • Height: 1.76 m
  • Club: Leicester City
  • Overall rating: 84

Youri is the youngest Belgian to play in the UEFA Champions League, having made his debut at the age of 16. He is proficient with long passes. He also plays for Belgium National Football Team.

15. İlkay Gündoğan

the best cam in the world
Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. Photo: Matt McNulty
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: İlkay Gündoğan
  • Date of birth: 24 October 1990
  • Age: 32 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
  • Nationality: German-Turkish
  • Height: 1.80 m
  • Club: Manchester City
  • Overall rating: 85

lkay Gündoan has emerged as one of the best, winning numerous awards throughout his career. In 157 Premier League appearances, the midfielder has 36 goals and 12 assists.

14. Paul Pogba

best central midfielders
Paul Pogba of Juventus Fc during warm up before the Serie A football match between Juventus Fc and Ac Monza. Photo: Marco Canoniero
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Paul Labile Pogba
  • Date of birth: 15 March 1993
  • Age: 29 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Lagny-Sur-Marne, Seine-Et-Marne
  • Nationality: French
  • Height: 1.90 m
  • Club: Juventus
  • Overall rating: 85

Paul Pogba is among the best players in the world's all-time ranking. He can play in a central midfield position or as a deep-lying playmaker.

13. Federico Valverde

the best cam in the world
Fede Valverde of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Mateo Villalba
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta
  • Date of birth: 22 July 1998
  • Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Nationality: Spanish-Uruguayan
  • Height: 1.82 m
  • Club: Real Madrid
  • Overall rating: 85

Federico Valverde is an all-around player known for his speed, stamina, and work rate. He can also occasionally play defensive midfielder, right winger, and right-back. He was a member of Uruguay's national youth teams and drew the attention of European clubs such as Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.

12. Pedri

midfielder in football
Pedri Gonzalez of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Sevilla, Spain. Photo: Eric Verhoeven
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Pedro González López
  • Nickname: Pedri
  • Date of birth: 25 November 2002
  • Age: 20 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Tegueste, Spain
  • Nationality: Spaniard
  • Height: 1.74m
  • Club: Barcelona
  • Overall rating: 85

The 19-year-old Spaniard has surprised many with his dazzling talent and skills. He is a regular starter for Barcelona and the Spanish national football team in the central midfield position. In addition, Pedri won the 2021 Golden Boy Award for the best under-21 player in Europe.

11. Parejo

best midfielders of all time
Dani Parejo of Villarreal CF celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Villarreal CF and Girona FC. Photo: David Aliaga
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Daniel Parejo Muñoz
  • Date of birth: 16 April 1989
  • Age: 33 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Coslada, Spain
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Height: 1.82 m
  • Club: Villarreal
  • Overall rating: 86

Parejo came through Real Madrid's youth system, joining at the age of 14. He represented Spain at all youth levels, earning 43 caps and scoring nine goals. He made his full debut in 2018 at the age of 28.

10. Thiago Alcântara

midfielder in football
Thiago Alcantara during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium in Brighton, England. Photo: David Horton
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento
  • Date of birth: 11 April 1991
  • Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: San Pietro Vernotico, Italy
  • Nationality: Spain
  • Height: 1.74 m
  • Club: Liverpool
  • Overall rating: 86

Thiago Alcantara is a technical and creative midfielder in the game of football. He is well-known for his precise passes and technical abilities. In 2020, Thiago joined Liverpool for an initial fee of £20 million and won the FA Cup and EFL Cup with Liverpool in 2022.

9. Sergej Milinković-Savić

best midfielders in the world
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of SS Lazio gestures at the end of the Coppa Italia football match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio. Photo: Nicolò Campo
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Sergej Milinković-Savić
  • Date of birth: 27 February 1995
  • Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Lleida, Spain
  • Nationality: Serbia
  • Height: 1.92 m
  • Club: Lazio
  • Overall rating: 86

Milinkovi-Savi began his professional career with the Serbian club Vojvodina. He is versatile and one of the best CAM in the world who can play in various positions. Sergej is the older brother of Vanja Milinkovi-Savi, a goalkeeper who also plays football.

8. Nicolò Barella

best midfielders of all time
Nicolo Barella gestures during the Coppa Italia quarter-final match between Fc Internazionale and Atalanta Bc. Photo: Marco Canoniero
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Nicolò Barella
  • Date of birth: 7 February 1997
  • Age: 25 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Cagliari, Italy
  • Nationality: Italy
  • Height: 1.72 m
  • Club: Inter Milan
  • Overall rating: 86

Barella is an Italian professional footballer known for his strong personality, leadership abilities, and winning attitude. Between 2012 and 2013, he was named the best young Italian player born in 1997 for two years.

7. Trent Alexander-Arnold

best central midfielders
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium in Brighton, England. Photo: Mike Hewitt
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Trent John Alexander-Arnold
  • Date of birth: 7 October 1998
  • Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: West Derby, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.75 m
  • Club: Liverpool
  • Overall rating: 86

Trent began playing football at a young age, and his talent has helped him gain international recognition. Trent is regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world due to his wide range of passing, crossing, and assists.

6. Marco Verratti

the best cam in the world
Marco Verratti reacts during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at the PSG training centre in Paris, France. Photo: Aurelien Meunier
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Marco Verratti
  • Date of birth: 5 November 1992
  • Age: 30 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Pescara, Italy
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Height: 1.65 m
  • Club: Paris Saint-Germain
  • Overall rating: 87

Marco Veratti is a creative and technically gifted player with quick dribbling skills. Veratti guided Italy to their second European Championship title in July 2021.

5. Leon Goretzka

midfielder in football
Leon Goretzka of Bayern controls the ball during the DFB Cup. Photo: Helge Prang
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Leon Christoph Goretzka
  • Date of birth: 6 February 1995
  • Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Bochum, Germany
  • Nationality: German
  • Height: 1.89 m
  • Club: Bayern München
  • Overall rating: 87

Goretzka is one of the best central defenders in the Bundesliga. His career began at the age of four with Werner SV 06 Bochum, where he played and trained from 1999 to 2000, and then at VfL Bochum. Leon is regarded as one of Germany's most promising players.

4. Frenkie de Jong

best midfielders in the world
Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Sevilla, Spain. Photo: Eric Verhoeven
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Frenkie de Jong
  • Date of birth: 12 May 1997
  • Age: 25 years (as of February 2022)
  • Place of birth: Arkel, Netherlands
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Height: 1.80m
  • Club: Barcelona
  • Overall rating: 87

Frenkie de Jong, who plays for Barcelona, is a box-box midfielder known for his vision, passing, and dribbling techniques. De Jong has collected several individual awards, including the 2018/19 UEFA Midfielder of the Season. He is regarded as one of Barcelona's best midfielders in the world.

3. Luka Modrić

best midfielders of all time
Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Valencia at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Photo: David S. Bustamante
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Luka Modric
  • Nickname: Cruyff of the Balkans
  • Date of birth: 9 September 1985
  • Age: 37 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Zadar
  • Nationality: Croatian
  • Height: 1.72 m
  • Club: Real Madrid
  • Overall rating: 88

The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner is undoubtedly one of the most talented players of his generation. Modric can play in the central, attacking, and defensive midfield positions. The Real Madrid playmaker is also regarded as the most outstanding Croatian footballer in history.

2. Toni Kroos

best central midfielders
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Mateo Villalba
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Toni Kroos
  • Date of birth: 4 January 1990
  • Age: 33 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Greifswald, Germany
  • Nationality: Germany
  • Height: 1.83 m
  • Club: Real Madrid
  • Overall rating: 88

Toni is widely regarded as one of the all-time great midfielders. He has mostly played as a central midfielder in his career, but he has also been used as a deep-lying playmaker. He is well-known for his vision, passing, creativity, crossing, and set-piece ability.

1. Kevin De Bruyne

midfielder in football
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. Photo: Alex Livesey
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
  • Date of birth: 28 June 1991
  • Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Drongen, Ghent, Belgium
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • Height: 1.81m
  • Club: Manchester City
  • Overall rating: 91

Who is the world's best midfielder? Kevin De Bruyne tops the list of best midfielders of all time. The Belgium and Manchester City star is considered the best-attacking midfielder in world football. He is the only player besides Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry to have won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award back to back.

Who are the best midfielders in the world?

Here is a summary table of some of the top 25 best midfielders.

Name

Overall rating

Kevin De Bruyne

91

Toni Kroos

88

Luka Modrić

88

Frenkie de Jong

87

Leon Goretzka

87

Marco Verratti

87

Trent Alexander-Arnold

86

Nicolò Barella

86

Sergej Milinković-Savić

86

Thiago Alcântara

86

Daniel Parejo Muñoz

86

Pedro González López

85

Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta

85

Paul Labile Pogba

85

İlkay Gündoğan

85

Youri Marion A. Tielemans

84

Hakan Çalhanoğlu

84

Mateo Kovačić

84

Luiz Frello Filho Jorge

84

Rodrigo Javier De Paul

84

Jude Bellingham

84

Carlos Soler Barragán

83

Bruno Guimarães Moura

83

Rúben Diogo da Silva Neves

83

Mikel Merino Zazón

83

Ranking among the best midfielders in the world is a massive privilege. The majority players on this list have the superior passing ability that make them the best in the game.

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Ciku Njuguna
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Jackline Wangare
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