Central midfielders are the lifeblood of contemporary football, coordinating play, disrupting opposing plays, and propelling their sides to victory. As the 2024-25 season begins, we have produced a thorough list of the best 20 central midfielders (mainly No. 8s or box-to-box players) based on their performances, statistical contributions, and effect in club and international competitions.
20. Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich, Germany).
Goretzka’s box-to-box dynamism and great timing make him a formidable opponent for Bayern. His extensive ground coverage and numerous appearances in the opposition box guarantee that he remains an important part in their Bundesliga campaigns.
19. Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami, Argentina)
De Paul has emerged as Atlético’s creative heartbeat in 2024-25, contributing eight assists in La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He is still an important player for both club and nation, ranking 12th in La Liga for passes into the opposing half.
18. Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United; Italy)
Tonali made a remarkable recovery from a betting ban, playing key roles in Newcastle’s 2025 Carabao Cup victory and top-five Premier League finish. His high duel winning rate demonstrates his expanding influence.
17. Conor Gallagher (Atlético Madrid; England)
Gallagher, nicknamed “El Pitbull,” has prospered under Diego Simeone at Atlético, thanks to his unrelenting energy and tackling. His high tackles and duels won in La Liga demonstrate his smooth transition to Spanish football.
16. Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, Argentina).
Palacios was a key component of Leverkusen’s unbeaten 2023-24 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. His high ball recovery abilities and aptitude for late box intrusions make him a dependable contributor for both club and country.
15. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool, Netherlands).
Gravenberch, who was reinvented as a holding midfielder under Arne Slot, started every Premier League game in 2024-25, establishing himself as Liverpool’s midfield backbone thanks to his poise and adaptability.
14. Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City, Netherlands).
Signed by Pep Guardiola, Reijnders’ crisp passing and line-breaking ability have made him a seamless fit in Manchester City’s system. His strong effort rate and goal contributions establish him as an emerging star.
13. Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona, Netherlands)
De Jong’s technical ability and calm demeanor shine in Barcelona’s midfield. His high progressive carries and pass completion rate helped them win the La Liga title, but he has yet to totally dominate as a leading player.
12. Alexis Macallister (Liverpool, Argentina)
Liverpool’s midfield is led by Mac Allister, who has excellent game intelligence and tenacity. With 5 goals and 5 assists in the Premier League, his ability to perform under pressure has been key to their 2024-25 title charge.
11. Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, Argentina).
Fernández has grown into a commanding deep-lying playmaker for Chelsea, dictating play with his vision and passing range. His high pass completion and defensive contributions, combined with his World Cup-winning pedigree, make him a key figure in Chelsea’s 2024-25 resurgence.
10. Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
Ruiz’s box-to-box brilliance, highlighted by his high pass accuracy and defensive contributions, was crucial for Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and PSG’s European success. His composure under pressure is unmatched.
9. João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
At just 20, Neves is PSG’s midfield nerve center, showcasing intensity and intelligence in their Champions League-winning campaign. His high pass completion and aggressive pressing mark him as a future superstar.
8. Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan, Italy)
Barella’s all-action style drives Inter’s midfield, with 3 goals and 6 assists in Serie A. Ranking fourth in the league for chances created, he was instrumental in Inter’s Scudetto and Champions League final appearances.
7. Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
Rice has evolved into a complete midfielder, blending crunching tackles with decisive goals. His high defensive actions and progressive passes were key to Arsenal’s title charge and England’s Euro 2024 final run.
6. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United, Brazil)
A complete midfielder, Guimarães captained Newcastle to the 2025 Carabao Cup, contributing 5 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League. Topping his team’s chance-creation charts, his tenacity and creativity make him a standout.
5. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Kimmich is Bayern’s metronome, succeeding in a variety of situations thanks to his passing range and perseverance. His impressive pass completion and defensive contributions in the Bundesliga cement his place as one of Europe’s top midfielders.
4. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid; Uruguay)
Valverde is a genuine box-to-box dynamo, and his versatility—shifting between midfield and even right-back—combined with 14 goal contributions in 2024-25 make him a key component of Real Madrid’s success. His passing in the last third and ball retention are exceptional.
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid; England)
Bellingham’s flexibility, physicality, and tactical nous have rendered him vital to Real Madrid. He was a driving force in their La Liga and Champions League victories, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists across all competitions.
2. Vitinha (Paris Saint Germain, Portugal)
Vitinha’s technical ability and defensive toughness emerged during PSG’s 2024-25 Champions League victory. He leads his club with 56 defensive duels won in the competition, forming a dangerous midfield combination with João Neves and Fabian Ruiz.
1. Pedro (Barcelona, Spain).
At the age of 22, Pedri is Barcelona’s creative linchpin, leading the club to its 28th La Liga title in 2024-25. With six goals and eight assists in La Liga, his vision, quick turns, and ability to handle tight areas distinguish him as a generational prospect. Pedri’s excellent pass completion rate and key involvement in Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign cemented his status as the world’s finest center midfielder.
Honorable Mentions
• Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa, Belgium): Dynamic in Villa’s Champions League run, scoring key goals.
• James Maddison (Tottenham, England) has topped Squawka’s Premier League midfielder rankings for 2024-25.
• Oihan Sancet (Athletic Club, Spain): A breakout star with goal-scoring potential in 2024-25.
• Curtis Jones (Liverpool, England): Played a key role in Liverpool’s title run, gaining England caps.
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