In brief
According to some, Diego Maradona is the best midfield player of all time.
The Argetine takes first position, surpassing such French duos as Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane.
The top 10 includes players like Zico, Andres Iniesta, and Bobby Charlton.
Being a midfielder involves a lot of varied tasks, making it one of the most difficult positions in football. You must be able to see your full environment and be able to pass. Having an engine is essential, especially if you are a box-to-box player.
Some have earned a living by easily breaking through a defensive and scoring from long range. Others sit in front of the back four and sweep up any threat since they are more defensive-minded. Despite the fact that these people are so dissimilar from one another, people nevertheless attempt to compare them.
In light of this, GIVEMESPORT has made an effort at the enormous undertaking of ranking every midfield player in football history. Based on a few crucial criteria, these twenty men—who have won the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or—are the best in the engine room.
Ranking Elements
Individual and group recognition
Longevity Statistics Cultural Influence
The 20 Greatest Football Midfielders in History
Rank
The player
Country of origin
Famous Clubs
Honours
1.
Maradona, Diego
Argentina
Barcelona and Napoli
10.
2.
Zidane Zinedine
France
Real Madrid and Juventus
14
3.
Platini, Michel
France
St-Ettiene and Juventus
7.
4.
Zico
Brazil
The Flamengo
7.
5.
Charlton, Bobby
England
United Manchester
7.
6.
Iniesta Andres
Spain
Barcelona
38
7.
Gullit Ruud
The Netherlands
Chelsea, PSV, and AC Milan
17
8.
Modric Luka
Croatia
Real Madrid and Tottenham
27
9.
Matthaus Lothar
Germany
Inter Milan and Bayern Munich
19.
10.
Socrates
Brazil
Corinthians, Fiorentina, and Botafogo
6.
11.
Xavi
Spain
Barcelona
32
12.
Kaka
Brazil
Real Madrid and AC Milan
9.
13.
Gerrard, Steven
England
Liverpool
9.
14.
Kroos, Toni
Germany
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich
34
15.
Seedorf, Clarence
The Netherlands
Real Madrid and AC Milan
19.
16.
Scholes, Paul
England
United Manchester
25
17.
Vieira, Patrick
France
Inter Milan and Arsenal
22
18.
Pirlo, Andrea
Italy
Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan
17
19.
Claude Makelele
France
Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Marseille
15.
20.
Lampard, Frank
England
Manchester City and Chelsea
11.
In Pictures: Greatest midfielders in football history
Many people will be disappointed not to have made the top 10 because there are so many talented names. Both Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard are among Chelsea’s best players and have an outstanding record both at home and abroad. Even though Andrea Pirlo spent his whole career in Italy, the bearded maestro was a World Cup winner and the epitome of class.
Paul Scholes and Patrick Vieira, two of the greatest the Premier League has ever seen, engaged in a number of fierce matches against each other. At various moments during their illustrious careers, players like Steven Gerrard, Toni Kroos, and Clarence Seedorf were undoubtedly their club’s most crucial players.
Despite being among the best in the 21st century, Kaka, the winner of the Ballon d’Or, and Xavi, one-third of the greatest midfield in history, complete the bottom half of the list.
10Socrates
Notable teams: Botafogo, Corinthians, Fiorentina, Brazil National Team
On the pitch, legendary midfielder Socrates was a combination of brains and elegance, and many people thought he was much older than his years. He was well-known for his tall, relaxed build and carefree manner. He had great passing and vision and frequently set the pace of the match. His inventiveness was demonstrated by his well-known one-touch play and backheel passes.
In addition to being a football player, Socrates was a leader who led Brazil to victory in the 1982 World Cup and motivated others with his cool-headed, collected demeanour. Even while he might not be as well-known as players like Pele from the legendary Brazil squad of 1970, he was equally significant to his teammates.
9Lothar Matthaus
Notable teams: Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, German National Team
Lothar Matthaus was a remarkable player who was renowned for his dominance and versatility. In 1990, “Der Panzer” became one of just seven players to win the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or in the same year. Matthaus won numerous trophies with Bayern Munich and was instrumental in Inter Milan’s 1988/89 Scudetto victory before leading Germany to victory at Italia 90.
Matthäus was a versatile midfielder who could shut down the greatest in the world—he notably marked Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup final, albeit it was in vain—and open games with strong runs and long-range goals.
8Luka Modric
Notable teams: Tottenham, Real Madrid, Croatian National Team
Few Madrid supporters could have imagined in 2013 that Luka Modric would become one of the team’s finest players and play for the Bernabeu for more than ten years. The Croatian swiftly settled into his role in Madrid’s midfield after a difficult rookie season. His vision, passing, and poise proved to be crucial in leading the squad to numerous Champions League titles.
But it was Modric’s incredible accomplishments with Croatia—winning the 2018 Ballon d’Or and guiding them to a World Cup final—that raised his legacy and solidified his place among the greatest football players of all time.
7Ruud Gullit
Notable teams: PSV, AC Milan, Chelsea, Dutch National Team
Ruud Gullit started his career in defence but quickly demonstrated his versatility by playing well in a variety of positions before establishing himself in midfield. Known for his distinctive look, the Dutchman gained international recognition at AC Milan under Arrigo Sacchi, when he won the 1987 Ballon d’Or alongside fellow countryman Frank Rijkaard.
His skill helped the Netherlands to their lone victory in history, the European Championship, in 1988. Gullit had already had success at Feyenoord and PSV before to joining Milan’s all-star team, when he helped the team win both Europe and the most competitive league at the time.
6Andres Iniesta
Notable teams: Barcelona, Spanish National Team
Sergio Busquets and Xavi were excellent with Andres Iniesta. But of the three, he was the one who was most noticeable. Fans were gripped by the explosive ball-carrier’s excellent playmaking instincts. Even while he could have been more flawed than his midfield comrades, he was unquestionably an absolutely brilliant craftsman.
Iniesta made his Barcelona debut in 2002 under Louis van Gaal, shortly after Xavi. He developed into a key player for the team and the nation over time, helping Barcelona win multiple Champions League medals and many domestic championships under Pep Guardiola. Iniesta played a pivotal role for Spain on the international front as well, helping the side win their first World Cup in 2010 with their famous goal against the Netherlands.
5Bobby Charlton
Notable teams: Manchester United, England National Team
During his remarkable career, which included winning the renowned 1968 European Cup, Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the most renowned football players in history, made 758 appearances for Manchester United and won multiple local and continental awards. But his best moment came two summers earlier with England.
Charlton’s contributions to the Three Lions’ triumph are just as important as Sir Geoff Hurst’s heroics in the World Cup final. Without his goals against Portugal, Alf Ramsay’s squad would not have advanced to the Wembley final. His vision, accurate passing, and ability to motivate the team were essential in leading England to their first and only World Cup victory. There are only six British players who have won the Ballon d’Or to date, including Charlton.
4Zico
Flamengo, Brazil National Team
Zico was a quick playmaker with exceptional foot-eye coordination who could dribble as well as anyone and frequently impressed with his unpredictable style. Whether it was a precise free-kick, a slaloming dribble, or a no-look pass, the Brazilian was rarely second-guessed. When the ‘White Pelé’ was in action, spectators could always count on getting their money’s worth. Fans were enthralled by his vision and inventiveness with the ball, while defenders were perplexed.
Zico, Flamengo’s greatest player ever, was a maestro of the game in its purest form, capturing the flair and creativity that characterise Brazilian football and winning a place in the hearts of Flamengo supporters throughout the world.
3Michel Platini
Notable Teams: Juventus, French National Team
Although Michel Platini was primarily a creative midfielder, he had a remarkable eye for goal. He scored nine goals during the tournament, which is still a record, and was named Player of the Tournament as France won at home. Fans around Europe were enthralled by his performances, which were distinguished by the grace, elegance, and panache typical of a Frenchman.
The former UEFA president’s three consecutive Ballon d’Or victories from 1983 to 1985 further solidified his status among football’s elite and left an enduring impression on the game, demonstrating just how dominant he was on the pitch. He might even be deserving of a spot at the top for many.
2Zinedine Zidane
Notable Teams: Juventus, Real Madrid, French National Team
The hallmark of Zinedine Zidane’s greatness was his desire to display his genius on the biggest stages. He won the Ballon d’Or after leading France to World Cup victory in 1998. His outstanding performances also lit up the Euro 2000 and 2006 World Cup knockout stages.
Zidane’s spectacular volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final for Real Madrid is still hailed as one of the best goals in the history of the game. Many people think Zidane retired too soon, leaving supporters wanting to see more of his magic on the pitch despite his enormous talent and influence.
Diego Maradona and Pelé frequently engaged in a two-way argument over who the greatest player of all time was. But the conversation changed when new stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo appeared. Maradona’s legacy is unblemished in spite of this change, especially considering his outstanding achievement in helping Argentina win the 1986 World Cup.
His remarkable solo effort against England in the quarterfinals and his famous “Hand of God” goal demonstrated his unmatched talent, inventiveness, and occasionally controversy. Maradona has had a significant influence on football, for better or bad. He was simply unmatched by anyone when he was at his best.
