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Ranking the 35 Best Central Midfielders Since 1990

The debate about the greatest midfielders of recent decades sparks strong opinions across football fans worldwide. This list aims to rank the 35 best central midfielders, blending personal awards, team success, influence, and iconic moments on the pitch.

Criteria for Ranking

  • Personal Awards: Including Ballon d'Or, World Player of the Year, Golden Foot, or league player of the season honors.
  • Major Trophies: Champions League, Europa League, top domestic leagues, and major cups.
  • Impact & Influence: Performance in key matches and tournaments.
  • Team Importance: Tactical role within their squads.
  • Iconic Moments: Memorable goals and celebrations in significant games.

Positions 35-31

Players like Federico Valverde, who has claimed two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid, continue to build impressive legacies. Joshua Kimmich stands out for his tactical intelligence and versatility at Bayern Munich, while Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho provided steady leadership during Manchester City's dominant years under Pep Guardiola.

Jude Bellingham has shown prodigious talent early on, winning both La Liga and the Champions League in 2023/24, surpassing Zinedine Zidane's goal tally for Real Madrid in fewer games.

  • 35. Federico Valverde - Uruguay - 499 games, 54 goals
  • 34. Joshua Kimmich - Germany - 676 games, 69 goals
  • 33. Fernandinho - Brazil - 918 games, 110 goals
  • 32. Ilkay Gundogan - Germany - 744 games, 114 goals
  • 31. Jude Bellingham - England - 390 games, 92 goals

Positions 30-21

Paul Pogba showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency, partly due to injuries and a four-year ban. Bastian Schweinsteiger's career also ended prematurely because of injuries. Reliable holding midfielders like Roy Keane, Claude Makelele, and Michael Essien were known for their dependability, while passing maestros such as Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, and Mesut Ozil controlled games with skillful possession and creativity.

  • 30. Paul Pogba - France - 520 games, 84 goals
  • 29. Bastian Schweinsteiger - Germany - 627 games, 78 goals
  • 28. Wesley Sneijder - Netherlands - 575 games, 154 goals
  • 27. Michael Essien - Ghana - 544 games, 58 goals
  • 26. Claude Makelele - France - 807 games, 24 goals
  • 25. Xabi Alonso - Spain - 695 games, 43 goals
  • 24. Cesc Fabregas - Spain - 737 games, 125 goals
  • 23. Mesut Ozil - Germany - 642 games, 114 goals
  • 22. Frank Rijkaard - Netherlands - 545 games, 97 goals
  • 21. Roy Keane - Republic of Ireland - 612 games, 77 goals

Positions 20-11

Toni Kroos was a cornerstone of Real Madrid's success before retiring at 34. Juan Roman Riquelme was an elegant Argentine playmaker often overlooked today despite his brilliance. Rodri earned the 2024 Ballon d'Or after pivotal roles with Manchester City and Spain, including Player of the Tournament awards at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.

Sergio Busquets and Yaya Toure brought contrasting styles: Busquets with subtle control, Toure with unstoppable power. English midfield legends Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes made the list, with Lampard’s scoring prowess and Scholes’ unmatched passing range. Steven Gerrard ranks in the top 10 for his outstanding contributions to club and country.

  • 20. Toni Kroos - Germany - 868 games, 90 goals
  • 19. Juan Roman Riquelme - Argentina - 464 games, 127 goals
  • 18. Yaya Toure - Ivory Coast - 626 games, 103 goals
  • 17. N'Golo Kante - France - 641 games, 38 goals
  • 16. Patrick Vieira - France - 650 games, 56 goals
  • 15. Rodri - Spain - 516 games, 39 goals
  • 14. Andrea Pirlo - Italy - 756 games, 73 goals
  • 13. Sergio Busquets - Spain - 981 games, 21 goals
  • 12. Paul Scholes - England - 551 games, 177 goals
  • 11. Frank Lampard - England - 896 games, 268 goals

Key fact: Despite playing solely in midfield, Frank Lampard is Chelsea's all-time leading scorer with 212 goals.

Positions 10-6

Kaka, the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner, was a vital part of AC Milan’s dominance in the 2000s. Clarence Seedorf remains the only player to win the Champions League with three clubs. Kevin De Bruyne is regarded as one of football’s finest technicians, equally skilled with both feet. Michael Laudrup, just outside the top five, won 16 trophies and is Denmark’s seventh-highest scorer from midfield.

  • 10. Kaka - Brazil - 648 games, 205 goals
  • 9. Kevin De Bruyne - Belgium - 812 games, 204 goals
  • 8. Clarence Seedorf - Netherlands - 870 games, 128 goals
  • 7. Steven Gerrard - England - 749 games, 191 goals
  • 6. Michael Laudrup - Denmark - 671 games, 169 goals

Rank 5: Lothar Matthaus

Lothar Matthaus took the Ballon d'Or in 1990 and is among Germany's finest. His trophy haul includes the 1990 World Cup, seven Bundesliga titles, Serie A, and the European Championship. Despite being somewhat underrated today, his 935 games and 227 goals highlight his impact.

  • Games played: 935
  • Goals: 227
  • Assists: 80
  • Trophies: World Cup, Euros, Champions League, Bundesliga (x7), Serie A
  • Individual honours: Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player of the Year, German Footballer of the Year (x2)

Rank 4: Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta formed a legendary partnership with Xavi at Barcelona and Spain, winning 40 trophies including 32 at Barcelona and three consecutive international titles with Spain. He scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.

  • Games played: 1,011
  • Goals: 106
  • Assists: 192
  • Trophies: World Cup, Euros (x2), Champions League (x4), La Liga (x9)
  • Individual honours: La Liga Best Midfielder of the Year (x5)

Rank 3: Xavi Hernandez

Xavi Hernandez was a key figure alongside Iniesta, winning 32 trophies with Barcelona and Spain, known for his game intelligence and precise passing. He earned multiple individual awards including World Soccer Player of the Year.

  • Games played: 1,061
  • Goals: 123
  • Assists: 241
  • Trophies: World Cup, Euros (x2), Champions League (x4), La Liga (x8)
  • Individual honours: World Soccer Player of the Year, La Liga Best Midfielder of the Year (x3)

Rank 2: Luka Modric

Luka Modric is Croatia’s greatest player, with over 1,100 appearances over 24 years. He won six Champions League titles with Real Madrid and broke the Messi-Ronaldo hold on the Ballon d'Or in 2018 after leading Croatia to a World Cup final.

  • Games played: 1,149
  • Goals: 129
  • Assists: 178
  • Trophies: Champions League (x6), La Liga (x4)
  • Individual honours: Ballon d'Or (2018)

Rank 1: Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane stands as the greatest central midfielder ever. Known for his elegance and skill, he led France to World Cup glory in 1998 with two decisive goals and scored one of the most celebrated Champions League goals in 2002. His trophy cabinet and individual awards are unmatched.

  • Games played: 798
  • Goals: 156
  • Assists: 172
  • Trophies: World Cup, Euros, Champions League, Serie A (x2), La Liga
  • Individual honours: Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player of the Year (x3), Serie A Footballer of the Year, Ligue 1 Player of the Year


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