The 50 Greatest Midfielders in Football History – Ranked
Midfielders are the heartbeat of every great football team. They dictate the rhythm, bridge defense with attack, and often serve as the creative force that turns tactics into triumphs. This list ranks the 50 greatest midfielders ever, celebrating the artists, architects, and warriors who dominated the center of the pitch. Starting from number 50, we count down to the very best of all time.
50. Safet Sušić
A magician with the ball at his feet, Sušić's creativity and vision dazzled fans across Europe, especially during his time at Paris Saint-Germain. He was a playmaker who could unlock any defense with a single pass.
49. Dragan Stojković
Nicknamed "Piksi," Stojković was a technically brilliant midfielder known for his dribbling and flair. His performances for Red Star, Marseille, and Yugoslavia made him a cult hero.
48. Mesut Özil
Özil’s passing range and vision were second to none at his peak. Whether at Real Madrid, Arsenal, or the German national team, his ability to find space and assist goals defined a generation.
Read also: Club World Cup Prize Money Rankings
47. Wesley Sneijder
Sneijder was the heartbeat of Inter Milan's 2010 treble-winning team and led the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final. His powerful shot and tactical intelligence made him a complete attacking midfielder.
46. Norberto Alonso
A legend in Argentine football, Alonso was known for his graceful style and leadership at River Plate. He played with an elegant flair that inspired a generation of playmakers.
45. Rui Costa
One of Portugal’s greatest footballing minds, Rui Costa was a master of the final pass. His time at Fiorentina and AC Milan showcased his intelligence and elegance on the ball.
44. Jan Ceulemans
Ceulemans was a physical and intelligent midfielder who captained Belgium through their golden era in the 1980s. His leadership and scoring ability made him a national icon.
Read also: The 20 Most Used Players of the 2024/25 Season
43. Thomas Häßler
Small in stature but huge in impact, Häßler was known for his free kicks, dribbling, and energy. He played a pivotal role in Germany’s Euro 1992 and 1996 campaigns.
42. Rinaldo Martino
A stylish and skillful Argentine-Italian midfielder, Martino was renowned for his technique and sharp footballing mind. He was a key figure in South American football in the 1940s.
41. Fritz Szepan
Szepan captained Germany during the pre-war era and was known for his tactical intelligence. He was one of Schalke's greatest ever players and a pioneer of midfield leadership.
40. Gunnar Gren
Part of the legendary "Gre-No-Li" trio at AC Milan, Gren was an elegant Swedish playmaker. His footballing brain and technical skill earned him international acclaim.
Read also: The 20 Most Expensive Strikers in Premier League History
39. Pedro Rocha
Rocha was a versatile Uruguayan midfielder who could both score and create with ease. He starred for Peñarol and São Paulo, leaving a lasting impact in South American football.
38. Juan Román Riquelme
Riquelme brought elegance and control to every game he played, especially at Boca Juniors and Villarreal. His tempo-setting style and sublime technique made him a unique midfield general.
37. Paul Gascoigne
“Gazza” was as unpredictable as he was talented. The English midfielder's flair, emotion, and creativity made him a fan favorite and a true icon of the 1990s.
36. Larbi Benbarek
Nicknamed “The Black Pearl,” Benbarek was a Moroccan pioneer who shone in France during the 1940s. His influence was so profound that Pelé called him “the real king of football.”
Read also: The Last 20 Tour de France Winners Through the Years
35. Giancarlo Antognoni
Known for his elegance and intelligence, Antognoni was the heartbeat of Fiorentina for over a decade. He was also a key figure in Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning squad.
34. Giovanni Ferrari
Ferrari won two World Cups with Italy and was a midfield general during the 1930s. His composure and strategic mind were ahead of his time.
33. David Silva
“Merlin,” as he was known at Manchester City, was a magician in tight spaces. His creativity and control helped City dominate English football for a decade.
32. Jair da Rosa Pinto
Jair was a brilliant Brazilian midfielder with a thunderous shot and technical finesse. He starred for the Seleção during the 1950 World Cup and was one of Brazil’s early greats.
Read also: Top 25 Assist Providers in the 2024/25 Season Across Europe's Top 10 Leagues
31. Ademir da Guia
A Palmeiras legend, Ademir was known as “The Divine One” for his elegant playmaking. He is still revered in Brazil as one of the most intelligent midfielders ever.
30. Ricardo Bochini
A cult hero at Independiente, Bochini’s passing and vision earned the admiration of Diego Maradona himself. He was the symbol of Argentine midfield artistry in the 70s and 80s.
29. Dejan Savićević
Nicknamed "Il Genio," Savićević was a creative genius who starred for AC Milan and Yugoslavia. His dribbling and flair made him a nightmare for defenders.
28. Gheorghe Hagi
Romania’s greatest player, Hagi was known as the “Maradona of the Carpathians.” His long-range shooting and audacious dribbles lit up World Cups and club football alike.
27. György Orth
An early 20th-century Hungarian star, Orth was a prolific and intelligent midfielder. His tactical insight and versatility made him a pioneer in modern football roles.
26. Kazimierz Deyna
Deyna was a Polish legend with a golden left foot. His leadership and vision powered Poland to Olympic gold in 1972 and a World Cup bronze in 1974.
25. Zbigniew Boniek
Boniek combined stamina with technical flair, making him one of Poland’s finest exports. He was a key player for Juventus and Poland in the 1980s.
24. Bernd Schuster
Schuster was a powerful German playmaker known for his long passes and thunderous shots. He played for all three major Spanish clubs and never failed to impress.
23. Wolfgang Overath
Overath was a graceful and consistent midfielder who starred for both Cologne and West Germany. He was pivotal in Germany’s 1974 World Cup win.
22. Pavel Nedvěd
The Czech Ballon d’Or winner was known for his relentless energy and lethal shooting. He was the engine behind Lazio and Juventus in the early 2000s.
21. Günter Netzer
Netzer was Germany’s rockstar midfielder in the 1970s. His long-range passes and bold playing style made him one of the game’s original mavericks.
20. Nils Liedholm
A part of the famous “Gre-No-Li” trio, Liedholm was a Swedish maestro with incredible composure. He later became a successful coach, proving his deep football intellect.
19. Kevin De Bruyne
A modern midfield powerhouse, De Bruyne is known for his pinpoint passing and unmatched vision. He has been Manchester City’s architect of dominance under Pep Guardiola.
18. Sócrates
The doctor-turned-footballer was a symbol of Brazil’s golden era in the 1980s. His backheels, leadership, and elegance were the stuff of legend.
17. Teófilo Cubillas
Peru’s greatest footballer, Cubillas was a World Cup star with remarkable goalscoring from midfield. His precision and creativity were second to none.
16. Kaká
Ballon d'Or winner in 2007, Kaká dazzled with his speed, technique, and humility. He was instrumental in AC Milan’s Champions League triumphs.
15. Sandro Mazzola
The Inter Milan legend played with grace and intelligence during the 1960s. He was vital to the “Grande Inter” era under Helenio Herrera.
14. Michael Laudrup
Laudrup was a master of the unexpected—his vision, touch, and balance were world-class. He starred for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, a rare feat.
13. Valentino Mazzola
The captain of the legendary “Grande Torino” side, Mazzola was a complete midfielder. He led by example and inspired a nation before his life was tragically cut short.
12. Juan Alberto Schiaffino
An elegant and versatile playmaker, Schiaffino was instrumental in Uruguay’s 1950 World Cup shock win. He later became a Serie A star with AC Milan.
11. Rivellino
Famous for his mustache and fierce left foot, Rivellino was one of Brazil’s most creative midfielders. His flair and control added spark to Brazil’s 1970 World Cup team.
10. Zizinho
Before Pelé, there was Zizinho. A sublime talent from the 1940s, he was revered for his dribbling and playmaking by the legends who followed.
9. Gianni Rivera
Nicknamed "Golden Boy," Rivera was Italy’s finest playmaker in the 1960s. He led AC Milan with intelligence and class for over a decade.
8. Andrés Iniesta
Iniesta was the silent genius of Spain and Barcelona’s golden generation. His World Cup-winning goal and mastery of tight spaces made him unforgettable.
7. Ruud Gullit
A physically dominant and technically gifted midfielder, Gullit won the Ballon d’Or and led the Netherlands to European glory in 1988. His versatility was unmatched.
6. Raymond Kopa
Kopa was the French maestro who shone at both Reims and Real Madrid. He was a creative genius and one of Europe’s first true global stars.
5. Bobby Charlton
An English legend and World Cup winner, Charlton combined stamina, leadership, and a thunderous shot. He defined Manchester United’s spirit after the Munich disaster.
4. Zico
Often called the “White Pelé,” Zico was a free-kick master and Brazil’s main creator in the 1980s. His vision and technique inspired millions.
3. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane's elegance, control, and ability to rise on the biggest stage made him a footballing icon. He defined greatness at both club and international level.
2. Michel Platini
Platini dominated Europe in the 1980s with his intelligence, goalscoring, and leadership. A three-time Ballon d’Or winner, he redefined the attacking midfielder role.
1. Diego Maradona
The greatest midfielder—and arguably the greatest footballer—of all time. Maradona's genius, charisma, and unforgettable moments cemented his legacy as the ultimate football legend.
