A number of midfielders have distinguished themselves over the years. Some of them have remarkable talents and are considered to be among the best in history.
A look back at the midfielders who have distinguished themselves and become benchmarks in their position throughout history.
The 10 best midfielders in history
1. Diego Maradona
The Argentine is considered one of the greatest players in the history of football. Diego Maradona‘s role as an attacking midfielder was remarkable. He was an unrivalled dribbler. Playing for teams such as Barcelona, Sevilla and Napoli, Maradona was undeniable. But Maradona won over the football world on the international stage. He was a key figure in Argentina’s triumph at the 1986 World Cup.
Maradona was more remarkable than ever during that edition, establishing himself as a veritable maestro in midfield and helping his team win the trophy. In 678 matches played, the Argentine scored 343 goals. His greatest masterpiece was his goal against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, when he took the ball from midfield, cut through the defence before scoring.
2. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane has established himself as one of the greatest players in history and has forged a legendary status for himself. The French genius-turned-coach was a highly talented attacking midfielder whose career was crowned with success. Zidane has also had spells with big-name clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid, and has excelled wherever he has played. His time at Juventus was astounding, as he won the Italian Supercup and reached the Champions League final in 1997 and 1998.
But his time at Real Madrid left a lasting impression. He won the Spanish Supercup in 2001 and 2003 and the Champions League in 2002. His international career was also remarkable, as he won the Euro and the World Cup with France, earning him the Ballon d’Or.
3. Andrés Iniesta
Andrés Iniesta is a footballing genius, according to the world of football. He has redefined the midfield position. He has spent almost his entire career at Barça and has dazzled Catalan fans with his creativity and vision. He captained the Barcelona team from 2015 to 2018 and played his leadership role impeccably. His ability to create fluidity between defence and attack has won him major titles.
He won the UEFA European Player of the Year award in 2011 and 2012, and the UEFA Best Midfielder award in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Iniesta’s trophy cabinet is overflowing with Champions Leagues, Championships, Club World Cups, two Euros and a World Cup.
4. Xavi Hernandez
The former Barça midfielder and current Barça coach is one of the world’s finest midfielders. Spending almost his entire career at Barça until 2015, Xavi amazed the football world with his play and passing. With his art, Xavi was one of the keys to the tiki-taka. With a wealth of honours to his name, including Champions Leagues, Euros, championships and a World Cup, Xavi also shone with the Catalan club.
5. Lothar Matthaüs
The emblematic figure of German football, Lothar Matthaüs has dazzled the game. He has played an essential role in midfield during his spells at clubs such as Monchengladbach, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. He won numerous titles, a testament to his exceptional talent. As captain of the German national team, he led the team to victory in the 1990 World Cup. His great feats and talent earned him the Ballon d’Or in 1990.
6. Andrea Pirlo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s former coach at Juventus, Andrea Pirlo, was a remarkable midfielder. With an excellent right foot, Pirlo was one of the best free-kick takers in the game. His spells with AC Milan and Juventus were remarkable, and his Champions League triumphs with the Milanese club are testament to that.
7. Luka Modric
Luka Modric is one of the players who have helped Real Madrid triumph on the European stage for years. Gifted, talented and exceptional, Modric is renowned for his formidable outside foot. With his size, the Croatian is capable of dribbling, making magnificent passes and scoring magnificent goals.
He has won five Champions Leagues with Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022), and was one of the key men in those triumphs. He has been the leader of his national team, most notably at the 2018 World Cup, where he was voted the tournament’s best player. This led to him winning the Ballon d’Or in 2018.
8. Pavel Nedved
The 2003 Ballon d’Or winner, Pavel Nedved, has proved himself to be one of the best midfielders in the world. He has been one of the most versatile and resilient midfielders in Senegal’s history. His exceptional contribution to the heart of the game, his stamina and his ability to score goals from outside the box won him the Ballon d’Or in 2003.
9. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is quite simply exceptional. He embodies perfection, intelligence and mastery, and his long passes are more than remarkable. The former Germany midfielder had already shone with Bayern before joining Real Madrid, where he has enriched his career. He contributed to the success of Real Madrid and the German national team at the 2014 World Cup.
10. Gianni Rivera
Gifted with exceptional vision and incredible technique, Gianni Rivera is one of the best midfielders in the game. He won the Euro with Italy in 1968 and reached the World Cup final in 1970. He is widely recognised as one of the best players of his generation.
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| 1. | Diego Maradona |
| 2. | Zinedine Zidane |
| 3. | Andrés Iniesta |
| 4. | Xavi Hernandez |
| 5. | Lothar Matthaüs |
| 6. | Andrea Pirlo |
| 7. | Luka Modric |
| 8. | Pavel Nedved |
| 9. | Toni Kroos |
| 10. | Gianni Rivera |
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