The 35 Greatest Central Midfielders in Football Since 1990 – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
Few positions in football have evolved as dramatically—and remained as influential—as central midfield. From deep-lying playmakers to dynamic box-to-box engines and tactical destroyers, the heart of the pitch has produced some of the game’s most iconic and intelligent players.
This list ranks the 35 greatest central midfielders since 1990, taking into account their individual brilliance, longevity, trophies, impact on the game, and ability to deliver on the biggest stages. While styles vary and eras differ, all of these players left their mark in the middle of the park—and football has never been the same because of them.
35. Federico Valverde
Federico Valverde has emerged as a key force in Real Madrid’s midfield with his relentless energy, tactical discipline, and big-game presence. Still only in his prime, he’s already won the Champions League twice and La Liga three times.
34. Joshua Kimmich
A tactical genius and one of the most versatile players of his generation, Kimmich has excelled as both a right-back and central midfielder. His passing range and football IQ are world-class, making him indispensable for Bayern Munich.
Read also: The 25 Greatest La Liga Players of the 21st Century – Ranked from 25 to 1
33. Fernandinho
Fernandinho was the backbone of Manchester City’s midfield during their rise under Pep Guardiola. His blend of physicality, positioning, and leadership helped define a dominant era in English football.
32. Jude Bellingham
Despite his young age, Jude Bellingham has already made a lasting impact. He led Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory in 2024 and continues to shine in both deep and advanced midfield roles.
31. Ilkay Gündogan
A technically gifted and intelligent midfielder, Gündogan played a crucial role in Manchester City’s dominance. His late runs into the box and calmness on the ball made him a consistent match-winner.
30. Paul Pogba
Pogba’s flair, vision, and physical dominance made him one of the most talented midfielders of his era. While inconsistency held him back, his peak performances showcased elite-level brilliance.
Read also: Top 20 Greatest Club Football Seasons - ranked from lowest to highest
29. Bastian Schweinsteiger
A World Cup winner and Bayern Munich legend, Schweinsteiger combined tactical awareness with leadership. Injuries affected his later years, but his peak was among the best in the world.
28. Wesley Sneijder
Sneijder was the creative heartbeat of Inter Milan’s treble-winning side in 2010. With exceptional vision and a lethal right foot, he was a constant threat from midfield.
27. Michael Essien
Essien’s power and drive made him one of the most feared box-to-box midfielders in Europe. At Chelsea, he was the engine room, known for his tackling, shooting, and all-action style.
26. Claude Makélélé
Makélélé redefined the defensive midfield role to the point that the position was named after him. Quietly dominant, he was vital to Real Madrid and Chelsea’s success in the early 2000s.
Read also: Ruben Amorim Threatens to Resign After Another Defeat to West Ham
25. Xabi Alonso
A deep-lying playmaker with incredible passing ability, Alonso orchestrated play for Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern. His composure and tactical discipline set him apart.
24. Cesc Fàbregas
Fàbregas broke through as a teenage prodigy at Arsenal and developed into one of football’s premier pass masters. His creativity and goal contributions made him a key figure wherever he played.
23. <
Few players saw the game as Özil did. With unmatched vision and timing, he racked up assists for fun and starred for club and country during his peak years in Germany and England.
22. Frank Rijkaard
Before becoming a successful coach, Rijkaard was a world-class midfielder. A blend of technique, strength, and intelligence made him one of the best of his generation.
Read also: The 100 Greatest Football Players of All Time - Ranked from lowest to Highest
21. Roy Keane
Keane was the ultimate midfield warrior. A fierce leader for Manchester United, he dominated games through sheer will, defensive grit, and commanding presence.
20. Toni Kroos
A metronome in midfield, Kroos dictated the tempo for Real Madrid’s golden generation. His pinpoint passing and calm under pressure helped deliver numerous Champions League titles.
19. Juan Román Riquelme
Riquelme played the game at his own pace and with unmatched elegance. Often underappreciated, his creativity and ball control made him one of Argentina’s most gifted playmakers.
18. Yaya Touré
Towering yet graceful, Touré was a rare blend of power and technique. His driving runs and goal-scoring ability from midfield were instrumental in Manchester City’s early Premier League success.
Read also: The 20 Most Shocking Transfers in Football History
17. N’Golo Kanté
Kanté redefined the defensive midfield role with his unmatched work rate and positional intelligence. A key figure in Leicester’s miracle title run and France’s 2018 World Cup win, he consistently covered every blade of grass.
16. Patrick Vieira
A natural leader and enforcer, Vieira was the heartbeat of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” and a fierce competitor in midfield battles. His strength, vision, and winning mentality made him one of the Premier League’s most iconic figures.
15. Sergio Busquets
Understated but essential, Busquets was the silent genius behind Spain and Barcelona’s golden era. With flawless positioning and short-passing precision, he dictated tempo and destroyed attacks without the spotlight.
14. Andrea Pirlo
A master of elegance and vision, Pirlo made the game look effortless. His deep-lying playmaking and ability to control matches with minimal movement made him a legend for both club and country.
13. Rodri
Rodri became the backbone of Manchester City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola. Winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or and Euro 2024 MVP, his control, anticipation, and tactical intelligence are second to none in the modern game.
12. Paul Scholes
Regarded by peers as a footballer’s footballer, Scholes combined powerful shooting with precision passing. His ability to influence matches from deep was a cornerstone of Manchester United’s golden years.
11. Frank Lampard
Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer despite being a midfielder, Lampard was the ultimate goal-scoring engine. His timing, shooting, and leadership elevated him to all-time great status in English football.
10. Kaká
Kaká’s peak was short but unforgettable. Winner of the 2007 Ballon d’Or, he dazzled fans with explosive pace, sublime dribbling, and clutch goals for AC Milan during their Champions League triumph.
9. Kevin De Bruyne
One of the finest passers the game has seen, De Bruyne has dominated the Premier League with assists, vision, and intelligence. His two-footed brilliance and creativity make him a generational talent.
8. Clarence Seedorf
A unique figure in football history, Seedorf is the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs. His strength, composure, and intelligence made him a true midfield general.
7. Steven Gerrard
The definition of loyalty and inspiration, Gerrard carried Liverpool through countless iconic moments. Known for his long-range strikes and match-winning performances, he was a born leader and game-changer.
6. Michael Laudrup
Elegant and inventive, Laudrup was the artist in every team he played for. A La Liga and European Cup winner, he was beloved at both Barcelona and Real Madrid—an almost impossible feat.
5. Lothar Matthäus
A powerhouse with finesse, Matthäus lifted the 1990 Ballon d’Or and led West Germany to World Cup glory. His incredible longevity, versatility, and leadership made him a true icon of the game.
4. Luka Modric
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly thanks to his World Cup heroics with Croatia. With six Champions League titles and unmatched longevity, Modric remains a midfield master.
3. Xavi Hernandez
Xavi was the ultimate metronome in midfield, guiding both Barcelona and Spain with flawless technique. His ability to control matches with simple brilliance defined an entire era of football.
2. Andrés Iniesta
A clutch performer with supreme elegance, Iniesta scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final and helped Spain win three major tournaments in a row. He was the creative soul of both club and country.
1. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane was a footballing artist—majestic on the ball and decisive on the biggest stages. With a World Cup, a Euro, a Champions League, and a Ballon d’Or, he remains the gold standard for central midfielders.
