You don’t have to be a die-hard soccer fan to appreciate a truly gifted midfielder. These dynamic players are the heart of any squad, masterfully controlling the tempo, distributing pinpoint passes, and dazzling with their footwork. While attackers may get all the glory for scoring goals, it’s often thanks to the midfield maestros pulling the strings behind the scenes. But who exactly are the best to ever do it? We’re breaking down our picks for the 10 most phenomenal midfielders of all time. From Spanish magicians like Xavi and Iniesta to Italian legends Pirlo and Zidane, see which world-class players made the cut and find out who was crowned the greatest midfielder ever.
Who Is A Midfielder In Soccer?
A midfielder is one of the most important positions in soccer. Midfielders are the connecting piece between the defense and the offense. Their main job is to control the midfield area of the pitch. What exactly does this mean?
Distributing the ball
Midfielders are responsible for distributing the ball to teammates. They receive passes from defenders and forwards, and then pass the ball to players in good positions to start an attack. The best midfielders have excellent vision and passing ability to quickly find open teammates.
Defending
Midfielders also have defensive duties. They need to pressure opposing midfielders and forwards, try to win the ball back, and intercept passes. Midfielders often have to track opposing players making runs through the middle of the pitch. Strong defensive ability is important for any midfielder.
Playmaking
Some midfielders are the playmakers of the team, responsible for creating goalscoring chances. They dribble, pass, and move in creative ways to unlock defenses. Playmaking midfielders, like a traditional number 10 role, link up with forwards to generate attacks in the final third.
Types of Midfielders
There are many types of midfielders, from defensive midfielders who sit in front of the back line, to attacking midfielders who play behind the forwards. The specific role of a midfielder depends on their skills, strengths, and what their manager needs in the team. Some common types are central midfielders, defensive midfielders, box-to-box midfielders, attacking midfielders, and wingers.
Key Skills Of A Midfielder In Soccer
To be a great midfielder, you need to master several key skills. Let’s look at seven of the most important ones.
Ball control
As a midfielder, you’ll be receiving and distributing the ball constantly. You need to be able to control the ball with both feet, dribble confidently in tight spaces while under pressure, and shield the ball from opponents. Work on dribbling drills, close control exercises and one-touch passing to improve your ball control.
Passing
Midfielders are the link between defense and attack. You’ll need to make accurate short and long passes to teammates to move the ball up the field. Practice passing with both feet, varying the pace and curl for different situations. A midfielder should be comfortable making one-touch passes, through balls, crosses, and switching the field.
Vision
The best midfielders have excellent vision and spatial awareness. You need to see opportunities to pass or dribble before they happen. Scan the field constantly to know where your teammates and opponents are. Look for gaps in the defense to exploit and anticipate where players will move. Vision is a skill that improves with experience.
Defending
While midfield is an attacking position, you still need to defend. Work on closing down opponents, winning back possession, and tracking opposing midfielders’ runs. Stay goal-side of the ball and try to intercept passes. Don’t dive in, but contain and pressure opponents. Strong defending will quickly win your team the ball back.
Tackling
Linked to defending, tackling is a vital skill for any midfielder. You need to be able to execute clean slide tackles and standing tackles to dispossess opponents when necessary. Aim for the ball, not the player, and time your tackles well. Start with basic slide tackles and work your way up as you get more comfortable.
Heading
In soccer, the ball will spend a lot of time in the air, especially in midfield. You need to be competent at heading the ball to teammates and away from danger. Work on your heading technique and accuracy. As a midfielder, you’ll need to head the ball in all directions up, down, left and right.
Fitness
Midfield is a physically demanding position. You need endurance to get up and down the field, sprint speed to attack and defend, and power for tackles. Work on high intensity interval training, ball work, and strength training to build up your stamina and power. Fitness is the foundation for all other football skills.
Defining the Greatest Midfielders
Here are some of the qualities that makes up a great midfielder:
Vision and passing range
The greatest midfielders have an uncanny ability to see the whole field and pick out passes that cut through defenses. Players like Xavi, Iniesta and Pirlo were masters of controlling the tempo of a game with their vision and pinpoint passing. They could find teammates in pockets of space that other players didn’t even know existed. Midfielders with this kind of vision and passing range make everyone around them better.
Control and dribbling
To beat presses and maneuver through tight spaces, the best midfielders need exquisite control and dribbling ability. Players like Zidane, Platini and Laudrup seemed to glide across the pitch, the ball seemingly attached to their feet. With deft touches and feints, they could create space where there was none and leave defenders in their wake. This kind of close control and dribbling is what allows midfielders to dictate play even when marked tightly.
Work rate and physicality
While technical and tactical ability are must-haves, the greatest midfielders also possess a tireless work rate and physicality. Players like Matthäus, Gerrard and Keane were relentless in tracking back to win the ball, starting attacks and supporting teammates. They covered every blade of grass and were willing to put their bodies on the line for the team. Midfielders who combine technical skill with a boundless work rate and physicality can control matches from start to finish.
The midfielders who tick all these boxes, vision, control, work rate are rightly considered among the greatest of all time. They are complete players who shape matches through their skill, leadership and indomitable will to win.
Top 10 Midfielders of All Time
Some of the greatest soccer players of all time have been midfielders. These players act as the engine room of the team, linking defense and attack. They are often the most technically gifted players, with an ability to control the tempo of the game and dictate the play. Here we introduce you to the best midfielders of all time.
Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton is considered one of the greatest English midfielders of all time. He played almost his entire professional career at Manchester United, spanning over 17 years from 1956 to 1973. During that time, he scored 249 goals for the club in 758 appearances, cementing his status as a legend.
Charlton was born in October, 1937 in Ashington, United Kingdom. He joined Manchester United’s youth academy at the age of 15 and turned professional a year later. His talent was evident early on, scoring plenty of goals for the reserves. He made his first-team debut in 1956 at the age of 19.
Key Career Highlights
Some of Charlton’s major career highlights include:
- Helping Manchester United win the Football League First Division title in 1965 and 1967. They also won the FA Cup in 1963.
- Being an integral part of England’s World Cup winning team in 1966. He scored 3 goals in the tournament, including 2 against Portugal in the semi-finals.
- He surpassed Denis Law’s record to become Manchester United’s all-time top goalscorer. He held this record for over 45 years until 2017, when his total of 249 goals was surpassed by club captain Wayne Rooney.
- In 1969, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to football.
- He was Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of his impact and contributions to the sport.
- He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1966 after playing every minute of England’s World Cup victory.
- He won his 100th England cap on 21 April 1970 against Northern Ireland, and was made captain by Ramsey for the occasion.
Playing Style
Sir Robert Charlton CBE was a talented attacking midfielder who could score and create goals. He was an excellent passer, crosser, and possessed a powerful shot. His style of play and goalscoring prowess from midfield revolutionized the position. Charlton died on October 21, 2023, at Macclesfield District General Hospital in Macclesfield, Cheshire, from complications of a fall he sustained at the nursing home where he resided; at the subsequent inquest, the coroner recorded his cause of death as “trauma in the lungs, a fall, and dementia. Sir Geoff Hurst was the last living English player from the 1966 World Cup final. He was 86 years old at the time of his death.
Charlton left behind an indelible legacy as one of football’s all-time greats. His career and accomplishments cement his status as a Manchester United and England legend.
Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo is arguably one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born on the 19th of May, 1979 in Fleto, Italy. His vision, technique and passing range made him a pioneer of the deep-lying playmaker role. Known as “the metronome”, Pirlo orchestrated play from a deep position, dictating the tempo of the game with his masterful passing and ball control.
Pirlo began his career at Brescia in 1995, showing glimpses of his ability as a deep-lying playmaker. His breakout came at Milan, where he won two Champions Leagues and two Serie A titles over a decade. Pirlo made 401 appearances for Milan, scoring 41 goals. He won two Serie A titles with the club in 2004 and 2011, as well as two UEFA Champions League titles in 2003 and 2007, reaching the final in 2005; he also won a Coppa Italia in 2003, a Supercoppa Italiana in 2004, and two UEFA Super Cups in 2003 and 2007, as well as playing an important role in Milan’s first FIFA Club World Cup victory in 2007. During this time, Milan finished second in Serie A in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, as well as second on penalties in the 2003 Supercoppa Italiana and 2003 Intercontinental Cup.
In 2011, Pirlo moved to Juventus where he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career, winning four consecutive Serie A titles. During this period, Pirlo was instrumental to Italy’s 2006 World Cup win. Pirlo’s playing style was defined by grace, poise and precision. He rarely dribbled or tackled, preferring to pass and move into space. His passing especially long balls was world class, delivered with pinpoint accuracy and timing. Pirlo’s vision and spatial awareness allowed him to play passes that few others could see. He was a specialist at through balls, lob passes and bending free kicks.
Pirlo made the playmaker role fashionable and inspired younger players like Xavi and Iniesta. Though often overlooked, he was as influential as any player of his generation. The elegance and artistry he brought to the game cemented his status as a legend of calcio. For his lasting impact and indelible style, Andrea Pirlo remains, even in retirement, the heartbeat of Italian football.
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane, the legendary French midfielder, is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on the 23rd of June, 1972 in La Castellane Marseille, France. His vision, ball control, and passing were unparalleled. Zidane had an uncanny ability to read the game and dictate the tempo, unlocking defenses with his creative playmaking.
Zidane spent most of his career with Juventus and Real Madrid, winning several league titles and Champions League trophies with both clubs. But he rose to international fame as the leader of France’s national team that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil. In the final against Brazil, Zidane scored two goals to give France its first World Cup title.
Zidane’s skills were sublime and silky. He had velvet touches and could dribble past defenders with ease. His signature move was the ‘roulette’ – spinning around with the ball glued to his feet, leaving opponents wondering where he went. Zidane also scored plenty of goals, many of them spectacular volleys that highlighted his flawless technique.
Though relatively quiet and unassuming off the pitch, Zidane was a fierce competitor on it. His passion and intensity were just as memorable as his talent. Zidane had a flair for the dramatic, scoring important goals in major finals and tournaments. However, he sometimes let his emotions get the better of him, evidenced by his infamous headbutt during the 2006 World Cup final.
While Zidane’s career ended on a sour note, his place in football history is secure. He redefined the attacking midfield role and served as an inspiration for players like Lionel Messi. Nearly 15 years after his retirement, Zidane remains an icon of skill, artistry and passion on the pitch. His elegance and accomplishments ensure his status as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
Rivellino
Rivellino, whose full name was Roberto Rivelino, was one of the most skillful midfielders in football history. He was born on the 1st of January, 1946 in São Paulo, Brazil. He played as an attacking midfielder for the Brazilian national team and several clubs in Brazil and Saudi Arabia between 1965 and 1978.
Rivellino was renowned for his ball control, dribbling skills, vision, and bending free kicks. His playing style was very graceful and elegant. He could dribble past defenders with ease using feints and body swerves. Rivellino was also an excellent passer and possessed a powerful shot.
At the 1974 World Cup, Rivellino spearheaded the Brazilian midfield and led the team to a third-place finish. He scored three goals in the tournament, including a memorable free kick against Zaire. Rivellino’s performance earned him a spot in the World Cup All-Star team. Rivellino spent the majority of his club career with Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil. With Corinthians, he won several Campeonato Paulista titles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rivellino also had a short stint with Fluminense before moving to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he played for three seasons.
After retiring from football, Rivellino worked as a football analyst and commentator. He is considered to be one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time. Pelé himself described Rivellino as “the king of the midfield.” His supreme skill, grace, and mastery of the ball made him a joy to watch. Rivellino embodied the natural flair and creativity of Brazilian football.
Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Matthäus is considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born on 21st of March, 1961. The German played in five World Cups, he was the first outfield player, and second overall, after Antonio Carbajal, to play in five FIFA World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998); he is still one of just six male players to have done so, together with Carbajal, Rafael Márquez, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Andrés Guardado. His passion and leadership helped Germany win the 1990 World Cup.
Matthäus began his career in 1979 with Borussia Mönchengladbach. He was a versatile player who could operate as an attacking midfielder, playmaker or sweeper. His exceptional passing range, vision and goalscoring ability from midfield made him a threat all over the pitch. Matthäus had a knack for controlling the tempo of games and was renowned for his tireless work rate, aggressiveness and will to win.
In 1984, Matthäus joined Bayern Munich where he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career. He won seven Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals and one UEFA Cup during his twelve years at the club. Matthäus captained the German national team for a decade and holds the record for the most capped German player of all time with 150 appearances. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1990 and won the inaugural FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1991.
Matthäus played for Inter Milan from 1988 to 1992, capturing the Italian league title in 1989 and the UEFA Cup in 1991. Despite being in his mid-30s, his hunger for success never wavered. Matthäus returned to Bayern Munich in 1992, he won four Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals, another UEFA Cup and reached a second European Cup final in 1999. The only major club football honour which eluded Matthäus, for competitions in which he played, was the UEFA Champions League. before retiring at the age of 38. His illustrious 20-year career cemented his status as one of the all-time greats of the game. Matthäus was a born leader and serial winner who defined an era of German football. His legacy lives on today through his accomplishments and the example he set as a consummate professional both on and off the pitch.
Xavi
Xavi is considered by many to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time. His vision, passing range, and reading of the game were unparalleled. He controlled the tempo of matches and could unlock defenses with a single pass.
He was born on the 25th of January, 1970, in Terrassa Spain. Xavi came through La Masia, Barcelona’s famous youth academy. He made his first team debut in August 1998 and became a regular starter in the 1999-2000 season under Louis Van Gaal. Xavi was an integral part of Barcelona’s success in the early 2000s, helping the club win two La Liga titles and a Champions League.
When Pep Guardiola took over as manager in 2008, he built the team around Xavi. Deployed in a central midfield role, Xavi dictated play and allowed teammates like Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi to thrive. His intelligent passing and movement epitomized the tiki-taka style of play. Guardiola once said, “I get the ball, I pass the ball. I get the ball, I pass the ball. Xavi passes the ball and that’s the end of the story.”
Under Guardiola, Xavi won three La Liga titles and two Champions League titles. He was named UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year two years in a row in 2008 and 2009. For Spain, Xavi was instrumental in winning Euro 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup. Xavi went on to play 208 times under Guardiola between 2008 and 2012, scoring 36 goals and laying out 82 assists. He held the record for most international appearances for Spain before retiring from international duty in 2014. With Spain, Xavi won the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999, and the Olympic silver medal at the 2000 Olympics. After making his senior team debut in 2000, he was capped 133 times for his country.
With 767 appearances for FC Barcelona, Xavi holds the record for the most games played for the club in its rich history, until 2021 Lionel Messi has matched Xavi’s record for the most appearances for Barcelona in all competitions. Xavi left Barcelona in 2015 after 17 trophy-laden seasons with his boyhood club. He joined Qatari club Al Sadd, where he played for four seasons, winning four trophies before retiring in 2019. Xavi is considered one of the greatest Spanish footballers of all time and shaped an era of football with his talent, leadership, and sportsmanship. His legacy lives on at Barcelona in the “Xavi-Iniesta generation” of La Masia graduates now starring for the first team.
Michel Platini
Michel Platini is considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born on June 21st 1955, in Jœuf, France. His vision, passing, free kicks, and goalscoring made him an icon. Nicknamed “Le Roi” (The King), Platini played for Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus during his club career, and captained the French national team.
Platini possessed outstanding dribbling skills and spatial awareness that allowed him to control the midfield. He had a knack for finding pockets of space and picking out teammates with pinpoint passes. Platini’s crossing and through balls were world class, often leading to goals. He was also a dead ball specialist, scoring many goals from free kicks. In total, Platini scored 312 club goals in 580 matches, mainly playing as a midfielder.
With the French national team, Platini appeared in three World Cups, including leading France to third place in 1986. He won Euro 1984, scoring 9 goals in just 5 matches, a record that still stands today. Platini received many accolades for his accomplishments, including three Ballon d’Or awards for being the best footballer in Europe in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
After retiring as a player, Platini served as the president of UEFA, European football’s governing body, from 2007 to 2016. His time in charge was marked by controversy at times, but he helped grow the European Championship and implement Financial Fair Play rules.
While Platini’s legacy is complex, his impact and talent as a player were undeniable. His vision, skill, goalscoring, and leadership from the midfield embodied the essence of “total football”. Few players have dominated their position and an era like Platini did at his peak. He set a standard for how a midfielder can control a match and captivate fans. Decades later, Platini remains an icon who helped shape football into the global game it has become.
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira was a legendary French midfielder who played for Arsenal, Juventus, and Inter Milan during his illustrious career. He was born on the 23rd of June, 1976 in Dakar, Senegal. Known for his physical presence, passing ability and leadership, Vieira bossed the midfield and helped Arsenal win three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, and reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2006. He played a total of 406 games for Arsenal, scoring 34 goals and providing countless assists.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Vieira was an imposing figure who dominated midfield battles through his athleticism and aggression. He had the ability to win the ball through clean, well-timed tackles, and then quickly transition into attack with accurate long passes to forwards like Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp. Vieira’s combativeness and passion were epitomized in the intense Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry in the early 2000s.
Vieira’s greatest strengths were his vision, decision making and composure on the ball. He always seemed to have time and space, allowing him to dictate the tempo of games. Vieira had a knack for controlling midfield and choosing the right pass at the right time. His intelligent build-up play and ability to find teammates between the lines made him a nightmare for opposing midfielders to handle.
The Senegalese-born Frenchman captained the Gunners and led by example through his determination and work ethic. Vieira demanded excellence from his teammates and held high standards for performance. He played a key role in establishing Arsenal as Premier League champions and title contenders for nearly a decade.
Vieira moved to Juventus in 2005 and later joined Inter Milan, where he added four Serie A titles and another FA Cup to his trophy cabinet before retiring in 2011. He will be remembered as a Premier League legend and one of the greatest central midfielders of his generation. Vieira embodied the heart, skill and leadership of Arsenal during their most successful period.
Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta is considered by many to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born on the 11th of May, 1984 in Fuentealbilla, Spain. His passing, vision, and technical ability were unmatched. After his 22 years with Barcelona, he won an incredible 35 trophies, including 9 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles.
Iniesta had a gift for threading impossible passes and creating chances that seemed to come out of nowhere. His close control, silky dribbling skills, and ability to wriggle out of tight spaces earned him the nickname “El Ilusionista” the Illusionist. At his peak, Iniesta glided across the pitch, orchestrating Barcelona’s tiki-taka style of play with Xavi and Messi.
Some of Iniesta’s most memorable moments came in major finals. He scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final and was named Player of the Tournament. Two years later, he scored again in the Euro 2012 final as Spain made history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive major international tournaments. For Barcelona, Iniesta’s pinnacle was scoring against Chelsea in the 2009 Champions League semi-final, leading Barca to eventually win the trophy.
Despite his small stature, Iniesta was a fighter. His work rate, stamina and toughness allowed him to dominate midfields against more physical opponents. Iniesta played with a grace and humility that endeared him to fans around the world. He never sought the spotlight and always put the team first. Even after winning everything in the game, Iniesta’s passion and love for football never faded. His smile lit up stadiums and touched all who watched him play.
When Iniesta left Barcelona in 2018, he received a standing ovation that lasted over a minute. A true legend and embodiment of Barcelona’s philosophy, Andres Iniesta’s place in history is assured. He redefined football and brought joy to millions. The boy from La Mancha conquered the world, and we were all left in awe of his mastery.
Sir Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born on February 1st, 1915, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, England.
His professional career spanned an incredible 33 years between 1932 to 1965, playing until he was 50 years old. Known as “The Wizard of the Dribble” for his skill on the ball, Matthews primarily played as a winger for Stoke City and Blackpool in England.
Matthews was renowned for his dribbling ability, ball control, and sportsmanship. He was able to swiftly maneuver past defenders with a variety of feints and body swerves while rarely giving the ball away. Matthews was also famous for his crossing ability, often putting the ball on a plate for teammates to score. His talents and showmanship made him a star attraction, with opposing fans often cheering him on.
Some of Matthews’ career highlights include helping England win their first World Cup in 1966 as an assistant coach, and becoming one of the first inductees into the English Football Hall of Fame. On 15 May 1957, Matthews became the oldest player ever to represent England, at 42 years and 104 days old.
Matthews is best remembered for inspiring Blackpool to victory in the famous 1953 FA Cup Final at the ripe old age of 38, cementing his status as an all-time great.
In a time when footballers were paid a pittance and expected to retire in their early 30s, Matthews defied the odds through a relentless dedication to fitness, skill development and sportsmanship. His achievements have rightfully earned him the title of England’s greatest ever footballer, remaining a role model for players around the world to this day. Matthews’ magical dribbling and captivating playstyle brought joy to millions, epitomizing all that is great about ‘The Beautiful Game’. He died on February 23, 2000.
Conclusion
These are the best Midfielders of all time in football, each of these icons are unique and extraordinarily talented.
In summary, midfielders are essential to controlling the game and helping teams win. Their combination of skills, intelligence, work rate and physicality allow them to excel in this crucial position. The very best midfielders can dominate the center of the pitch and lift their whole team to another level.