- Intro: Best Midfielders in Europe
- Ranking the current 15 best midfielders
Intro:
Compiling the list of the best midfielders currently plying their trade in Europe is nothing short of a daunting task, given the vast array of talents in Europe.
Our team of seasoned sports journalists considered lots of important factors to come up with this shortlist.
Factors like skills, number of assists, number of goals scored and position of clubs on their respective league logs were taken into cognizance while compiling this list.
Midfielders play an important role in the game of football and they are often regarded as the brainbox of the team.
Most times, to learn about the playing style of a coach, one just needs to observe his midfield set-up.
The midfielders are usually the backbone of the team and anytime a team loses one or two important midfielders, it usually impacts their results negatively.
Despite their immense contributions to a team’s success, midfielders are often overlooked during individual awards like the Balon d’or and Fifa the best awards.
Ranking the current 15 best midfielders
15. Moises Caicedo (D.O.B – 2 November 2001)
Caicedo is an Ecuadorian central midfielder who currently plays for the English Premier League club, Chelsea. He is best known for his defensive ability and tireless work rate.
The midfielder announced himself to the world during the 2022-23 season as a Brighton player. He formed an effective midfield partnership with McAlister, making him become a hot prospect in Europe.
He moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2023 where he failed to replicate his fine form in his first season under Mauricio Pochetino as coach.
Caiceido is currently in his second season with Chelsea under a new coach and has displayed several top performances to make him one of the best midfielders in Europe.
14. Ryan Gravenberch (D.O.B – 16 May 2002)
The dutch footballer is one of the hottest midfielders in europe presently. He moved to Liverpool from the German club Bayern Munich in 2023 but failed to impress under Jurgen Klopp.
But this season, he has proven to be an important player for the team under a new coach, Arne Slot who happens to be his compatriot. Gravenberch adds steel to the team and understudies the flow of play.
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He plays defensively in midfield, acting as a shield to the defenders as well as providing support for the attackers upfront.
He has proven himself to be important to the team this season and his one of the reasons why Liverpool are currently in the summit of the table and pushing to win the league.
13. Federico Valverde (D.O.B – 22/07/1998)
Probably one of the most underrated players in football. Valverde has turned in several impressive performances for Madrid in the last few seasons.
He is a reliable midfielder capable of playing anywhere on the field. He is known for scoring screamers due to his ability to shoot with precision from a long distance.
Valverde has won it all with Madrid but still under appreciated in Europe. The Uruaguayan is currently at the heart of a title push for Madrid this season.
His ability to read the game well, shooting accuracy and his dependability makes him one of the best midfielders in Europe presently.
12. Dani Olmo (D.O.B – 7 May 1998)
Dani Olmo is a silky and skilful attacking midfielder who currently plays for FC Barcelona. The Spanish International is one of the brightest midfielders in Europe.
Olmo emerged from the famous Barcelona Football Academy, La Masia. He moved to RB Leipzig to establish himself as one of the brightest midfielders in Europe.
He caught attention Europe’s big clubs during the summer when he led Spain to win the 2024 Euro tournament. He formed a prolific midfield partnership with Pedri and Rodri to lead Spain to the title.
His performance at the tournament earned him a transfer back to his boyhood club Barcelona where he is proven to be important in the club’s campaign for a possible treble of trophies.
Olmo is yet to establish himself as a main figure in Barcelona midfield due to a stiff competition from other important midfielders like Gavi, Frankie De Jong, Cassado and Pedri.
However, the lack of regular playing time does not stop him from making the shortlist due to his enormous talent.
11. Vitinha 13 (D.O.B – February 2000)
The Portuguese international is the main figure in the midfield of Pris Saint-German. The diminutive central midfielder hardly makes the headlight despite his talent.
Vitinha has a similar style of play with former PSG midfielder Marco Verratti. He plays a possessive football and has a good understanding of the game.
He is also effective as number eight (8) where he plays in the hole between midfield and strikers. He is a great facilitator of play and any striker would be lucky to have Vitinha behind him.
10. Frakie De Jong (D.O.B – 12, May 1997)
De Jong was once the toast of the Dutch football club, Ajax. He was vital to the Ajax run of exciting campaign in the 2018-19 season, where the reached the semi-final.
His performance for his former club made Barcelona view him as a worthy successor to Sergio Busquets. The club went all out, facing a bidding war with Manchester United.
The Dutch midfielder ultimately chose the Spanish team over the Red Devils. He has since been an important figure in Barcelona’s midfield.
De Jong Temporary lost his starting birth to Marc Cassado at the onset of the season but has since worked his way back to the starting eleven under Hansi Flick.
He is one of the best midfielders in Europe for several reasons. He has an impeccable grasp of the game, he rarely loses possession and links well with his teammates.
Frankie is also a natural leader who turns up for his teammates both on and off the field.
9. Florian Wirtz (D.O.B – 3 May 2003)
The Bayern Leverkusen midfielder is one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe. He was at the forefront of the team’s dramatic run of form last season.
Wirtz is an attacking midfielder who is very dangerous in the box. His penchant for scoring vital goals makes him one of the best in the world.
8. Alexis McAlister (D.O.B – 24 December 1998)
The Argentine midfielder played an important role in his country’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup. Alexis is one of the underappreciated midfielders in the world despite his glaring ability on the ball.
He is currently playing for Liverpool where he partners with Sboslai and Gravenberch in midfield. Alexis plays any role in midfield. He plays defensively, centrally and attacking roles.
He is versatile and an indispensable player for Liverpool’s campaign for the league title this season.
7. Bruno Fernandez (D.O.B – 8 September 1994)
Known for his shooting accuracy and tendency to score from long range. He also has great vision and supplies his attackers with sumptuous passes.
The Manchester United captain was in the debate of the top three midfielders in the world a few seasons ago but has fallen off the ranking because of his team’s poor form this season.
Nonetheless, the Portuguese international remains one of the best midfielders in the world currently.
6. Jamal Musiala (D.O.B – 26 February 2003)
Jamal Musiala ranks high among the best midfielders in the world currently. The English-born German attacking midfielder is on a mission to reclaim the Bundesliga title from rivals Leverkusen.
The Bayern midfielder has a similar style of play to Ricardo Kaka and is said to be reminiscent of the former Brazilian player. Musiala is highly skilful and makes play easy for his teammates.
He can play in tight spaces and has an amazing shooting skill. The young midfielder is still at the development stage of his career and is predicted to be a future contender for the Balon d’Or
5. Jude Bellingham (D.O.B – 29 June 2003)
Bellingham is no doubt one of the finest midfielders in the world today. The Real Madrid midfielder showed signs of greatness right from the on set of his career.
His display for Birmingham City in the championship a few years ago was so good that the club had to retire his Jersey number after his transfer to Dortmund.
The Englishman was very instrumental to Real Madrid’s impressive campaign last season, helping the Spanish side to a Champions League and La Liga double.
He was tipped as one of the favourites to win the Balon D’or last season but finished in third place behind teammate, Vinicius Jr. and winner Rodri.
Jude Bellingham is known for his energetic style of play. He utilizes his physicality to dictate play in the midfield. He helps out in defensive duty, bringing relief to his defenders.
He is also a great shooter and poses a great threat in the opposition box. Jude’s style of play is unorthodox but highly effective. He is a great addition to any team in the world.
4. Rodri (D.O.B – 22 June 1996)
The Balon d’Or winner has brought light and recognition to the defensive/holding midfield role. The decision to award him the exclusive French football prize ahead of an attacking player, Vinicius sparked a controversy in the media.
But without a doubt, Rodri was amazing and important to both club and country in the 2023-24 season.
The midfielder has been solid over the years, helping Manchester City to four consecutive league titles. He was also key to Spain’s victory at the 2024 EURO tournament.
He probably would have ranked higher on this list if not for the nasty knee injury that has ruled him out of action for months.
3. Kevin Debruyne (D.O.B – 28 June 1991)
The Manchester City legend is regarded by many fans as the greatest midfielder ever in the Premier League. Debruyne known for his visionary defence splitting passes.
He is instrumental to City’s success under Pep Guardiola. The midfielder has entered the twilight of his career and there are speculations about his next move.
2. Pedri (D.O.B – 25 November 2002)
The Barcelona midfielder is currently leading the pack at Hansi Flick’s team this season. Barcelona are currently in the run for the La Liga title this season thanks to the Pedri and other important players in the club.
Pedri is Iniesta-esque in style. He is soft but masterful of the midfield. He has an in-depth understanding of the game. He is good at dribbling and dictating the tune of play.
The Spanish midfielder has all the attributes of the modern number ten in football. There are sections of fans who ranks him as the best midfielder currently.
But our team of esteemed editors think he is just behind Odegard in form currently.
1. Martin Odegard (D.O.B – 17 December 1998)
Arguably the best midfielder in the world presently. The Arsenal midfielder is arguably the finest number ten in the sport of football presently.
His importance for Arsenal cannot be over-emphasized. The Danish international has been instrumental to Arsenal’s title push in the last three seasons.
His brilliant skills and leadership qualities for club and country makes him the best midfielder in the world. The Danish captain will be hoping to win a major trophy soonest to buttress his claim as one of the best in the world.
