Top 10 Best Football (Soccer) Midfielders of All Time

Midfielders are the heartbeat of any great football team. They control the tempo, dictate play, and bridge the gap between defense and attack. Some are known for their pinpoint passing, others for their vision and creativity, and some for their ability to cover every blade of grass for 90 minutes. The very best midfielders have shaped the way the game is played, influencing generations of players who have tried to follow in their footsteps.

This list features some of the most influential and skillful players to ever step onto the pitch, but your votes help determine who truly stands out. Whether you value elegance, leadership, or raw determination, this is your chance to have a say in how history remembers these football icons.

The Top Ten

Diego Maradona

Diego Armando Maradona (October 30, 1960 - November 25, 2020) was an Argentine professional footballer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Maradona was nicknamed "El Pibe de Oro... read more

Why the hell is he seventh? He scored the best goal in football history! And even I admit that, though I support England! Look, if you have not seen these people play, don't vote and leave this list now!

1. Best midfielder.
2. And best soccer player. An amazing shooter. Maradona and Messi are the top 2 players, but in terms of dribbling, Messi is 1 and Maradona is 2.
Luka Modrić

Luka Modrić is a Croatian footballer who most recently played for Real Madrid and the Croatia national team. He joined Real Madrid in 2012, where he made nearly 600 appearances and contributed to winning six UEFA Champions League titles and 28 trophies overall. In July 2025, at the age of 39, Modrić... read more

Should be number one in the last few years.

He should be above Cristiano Ronaldo!

He is the greatest midfielder of all time.
Steven Gerrard

Steven George Gerrard (born 30 May 1980) is an English professional football manager and former Liverpool player. He famously captained Liverpool to a miraculous comeback victory in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final. After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into management and successfully led... read more

Say all you want about Lampard's stats, but let's be honest, if we talk about pure quality, Gerrard is above Lampard. The goals he scored for Liverpool and England were out of this world, and not to mention, crucial. He won Liverpool the Champions League and FA Cup by himself and was arguably the best captain of the Premier League era.
He played in a mediocre team for his whole career and still did amazing. He didn't need to be put in a world-class team to get global recognition, and that's why Liverpool fans will admit that for many years, Gerrard carried Liverpool. Lampard simply didn't have the same influence as Gerrard or the "big game" attitude.
Frank Lampard

Frank James Lampard is a retired English professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made over 600 club appearances, most notably with Chelsea, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer. He earned 106 caps for England and later became a manager for clubs including Derby County, Chelsea... read more

Look at his numbers, just look at them. 232 goals and 172 assists. It's nearly impossible for any midfielder to scale such heights, but not for Frank Lampard. He is a legend in every sense of the word.
It was a pleasure watching him play. Too bad we won't be able to do it any longer. It's a pain, really. A pain that leaves a hole in the heart as deep as the ocean.

What can I say? Everyone in the world knows Frank Lampard is the best and is a legend. A goal machine, a friend, a hero, a legend, the heartbeat of the team. He has good vision, knowing where to pass and where to kick the ball. He is also the most successful penalty taker in football history.
Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo, born on May 19, 1979, is an Italian former professional footballer and current football manager. He retired from playing in January 2018 after an illustrious career as a central midfielder, primarily with AC Milan and Juventus, and was also a key player for the Italy national team. After... read more
Andres Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta Luján is a retired Spanish professional footballer who most notably played for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. He won the FIFA World Cup with Spain in 2010, scoring the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands. The legendary midfielder also secured four Champions League... read more

Really? The best ever! Spain won the World Cup with his goal. Iniesta, Xavi, and Messi are the best trio in football (soccer), but Iniesta is the mastermind, the magician!
Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Yazid Zidane, nicknamed "Zizou," (born 23 June 1972) is a French former professional football player who played as an attacking midfielder. He received many individual accolades as a player, including being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003, as well as winning the 1998... read more

This is a joke, right? How the hell is Zidane not #1, or even in the top 3? You really don't know soccer then. This guy carried France to the World Cup as a rookie. He was the best player on a Real Madrid team that had Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, and R. Carlos. That's saying something! Plus, he was still playing at a high level at the age of 35 and got France back to the World Cup!

Zidane should definitely be in the top 5, not Kaka, Ronaldo, or Lampard. This guy is a legend and could school any of these players easily. He was the heart and soul of any soccer team. He is also rated among the top 3 football players in the world.
Xavi

Xavier "Xavi" Hernández Creus is a former Spanish professional footballer who most notably played as a central midfielder for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.
He won four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona and the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain.... read more

No matter what anyone says, this guy is definitely the best midfielder ever! (Coming from someone who played pro in South America). His success in club and country can't lie, plus changing the whole tactical system in the best club in the world (Barcelona) is something only a legend could do.
The brain of Barça/Spain and the main point of the tiki-taka system, he pretty much controlled the whole team according to his thinking (check his highlights on YouTube). This world will definitely never see another footballer like Xavi Hernandez!

Why are Ronaldo and Ribery here! Xavi is the BEST. He should be in the TOP. That's it! If he is not better than Maradona overall, he's surely a better playmaker and midfielder in the world. He has better midfield skills than Maradona.
Juan Mata

Juan Manuel Mata García is a Spanish professional footballer born on April 28, 1988. He plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and has been a regular member of the Spain national team. Mata joined Manchester United in January 2014 after successful spells with Valencia and Chelsea... read more
Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born February 5, 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and captains the Portugal national team. He has collected five prestigious Ballon d'Or awards and countless major trophies over his storied career... read more

Ronaldo has impressive skills with incredible power. He can manage to confuse defenders and also score goals from a great distance. He can do what other players in this world cannot.

We all know him. Of course, he's somewhere on this list.

The best world player in our time, and he is the best ball controller in the world. No one will match his standard.

The Newcomers

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Mahamadou Diarra
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Mason Mount

The Contenders

Neymar

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (born February 5, 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team.
He is the all-time top goalscorer for the Brazil national team.... read more

So skillful. I want to be like him.
Harry Kewell
James Milner
Johan Cruyff

Hendrik Johannes "Johan" Cruijff (April 25, 1947 - March 24, 2016) was a Dutch professional football player and coach. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974.
Cruyff was a leading figure in the development of Total Football, a tactical approach popularized by Rinus Michels... read more

Not much to say. The greatest midfielder I have ever seen!
Cesc Fabregas

His ability to provide world-class assists makes him by far one of the best midfielders in the world.
John Obi Mikel
Kaká

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaká or Ricardo Kaká, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer. He played as an attacking midfielder for clubs such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Orlando City, as well as the Brazil national team. His exceptional vision and passing ability earned... read more

The most prolific playmaker in present-day football, he makes the whole attack look so simple by his passing ability. He can score from long range and inside the box. A full package!

The best midfielder ever experienced by soccer!

What Kaká has done, no one can do. He is the best.
Nicky Butt
Eden Hazard

Eden Michael Hazard, born January 7, 1991, is a retired Belgian professional footballer. He last played for Real Madrid CF and was the captain of the Belgium national team. Hazard officially announced his retirement from football in October 2023.

Eden Hazard is one of the greatest talents the world has ever seen.
Martin Petrov
Stephen Ireland
Alex Pritchard
Ronaldinho

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21, 1980, is better known by his nickname Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho. He is a Brazilian former professional footballer and a current ambassador for FC Barcelona.
He primarily played as an attacking midfielder but was also effective as a winger. Ronaldinho... read more

I say that he is the best. When he is at his peak, he is unstoppable.

He is the best dribbler and should be best.
Xabi Alonso

Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central midfielder. He played for top clubs including Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich before retiring in 2017. Alonso is now a football manager and became head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022... read more
Park Ji-sung

Park is such an underrated player. Just his determination and short passing will inspire the whole team.

This guy has an extra lung. He moves everywhere around the pitch, like an extra player in every position! Insane player.