Top 10 Best midfielders in the world of All Time
Midfielders are generally considered the backbone of any squad. Generally, the best midfielders in the world are good at building the play, keeping control of the ball, and breaking defenses. So, who is the no.1 midfielder? Let us look at the best midfielders in football and much more.
There are different positions that midfielders can play. They act as links between the defense and the attack. They can also play in central, defensive, attacking, or the flanks. So, who is the best midfielder in the world in 2022?
Best midfielders in the world 2022
10. Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich enters our list as one of the best midfielders in the world in the tenth position. Kimmich previously played as a right-back. He has won numerous titles with Bayern, including the 2019/20 Champions League title.
Joshua Kimmich’s profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Joshua Walter Kimmich
- Nickname: Mr. Versatile
- Date of birth: 8 February 1995
- Place of birth: Rottweil
- Nationality: German
- Age: 27 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.77 m
- Position: Defensive midfielder
- Club: Bayern Munich
- Instagram: @jok_32
- Facebook: @JoshuaKimmich
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $10 million
9. Luka Modrić
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is undoubtedly one of the most talented players of his generation. Modric can play in the central, attacking, and defensive midfield positions. The Real Madrid playmaker is also regarded as the most outstanding Croatian footballer in history.
Source: Getty Images
Luka Modric’s profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Luka Modric
- Nickname: Cruyff of the Balkans
- Date of birth: 9 September 1985
- Place of birth: Zadar
- Nationality: Croatian
- Age: 36 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.72 m
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Real Madrid
- Twitter: @lukamodric10
- Instagram: @lukamodric10
- Facebook: @LukaModrić
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $11 million
8. N’Golo Kanté
N’Golo Kanté plays as a central midfielder for Chelsea and the France national football team. Despite his short height, he has displayed a tremendous work rate and excellent defensive skills. Kanté helped Chelsea win the 2020/21 Champions League and the 2016/17 Premier League title.
Source: Getty Images
N’Golo Kanté’s profile summary (biography)
- Full name: N’Golo Kanté
- Nickname: NG
- Date of birth: 29 March 1991
- Place of birth: Paris
- Nationality: French
- Age: 30 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.68 m
- Position: Central midfielder
- Club: Chelsea
- Twitter: @nglkante
- Instagram: @nglkante
- Facebook: @nglkante
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $59 million
7. Paul Pogba
Source: Facebook
Paul Pogba is among the best players in the world’s all-time ranking. He can play in a central midfield position or as a deep-lying playmaker.
Paul Labile Pogba’s profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Paul Labile Pogba
- Nickname: La Pioche
- Date of birth: 15 March 1993
- Place of birth: Lagny-Sur-Marne, Seine-Et-Marne
- Nationality: French
- Age: 28 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.90 m
- Position: Central midfielder
- Club: Manchester United
- Twitter: @paulpogba
- Instagram: @paulpogba
- Facebook: @PaulPogba
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $64 million
6. Bruno Fernandes
Source: Instagram
Since joining Manchester United from Sporting CP, Bruno Fernandes has established himself among the best midfielders in the world at the moment. In the 2018/19 season, he was the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe with 33 goals in all competitions.
Bruno Fernandes profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes
- Nickname: Fredinhooooooo
- Date of birth: 8 September 1994
- Place of birth: Maia, Portugal
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Age: 27 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.79 m
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- Club: Manchester United
- Twitter: @B_Fernandes8
- Instagram: @brunofernandes.10
- Facebook: @BrunoFernandesOfficial
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $106 million
5. Marco Verratti
Source: Facebook
Starting off our list of the top five best midfielders in the world in 2022 is Marco Veratti, a creative and technically gifted player with quick dribbling skills. Veratti guided Italy to their second European Championship title in July 2021.
Profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Marco Verratti
- Nickname: Gufetto
- Date of birth: 5 November 1992
- Place of birth: Pescara, Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Age: 29 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.65 m
- Position: Central midfielder
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Instagram: @marco_verratti92
- Facebook: @Marco-Verratti
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $64 million
4. Jorginho
Jorginho is a technically gifted defensive midfielder who prefers playing as a focal point and controlling the tempo of play. He won the 2021 Champions League and Club World Cup with Chelsea and the 2020 Euros with Italy.
Source: Getty Images
The talented footballer was voted UEFA Men’s Player of the Year. In addition, he is considered the best defensive midfielder in the world in 2021/22.
Profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Jorge Luiz Frello Filho
- Nickname: Il Professore (The Professor), Radio
- Date of birth: 20 December 1991
- Place of birth: Imbituba, Brazil
- Nationality: Italian, Brazilian
- Age: 30 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.80m
- Position: Central midfielder
- Club: Chelsea
- Instagram: @jorginhofrello
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $52 million
3. Pedri
Source: Twitter
The 19-year-old Spaniard has surprised many with his dazzling talent and skills. He is a regular starter for Barcelona and the Spanish national football team in the central midfield position. In addition, Pedri won the 2021 Golden Boy Award for the best under-21 player in Europe.
Pedri’s profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Pedro González López
- Nickname: Pedri
- Date of birth: 25 November 2002
- Place of birth: Tegueste, Spain
- Nationality: Spaniard
- Age: 19 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.74m
- Position: Central midfielder
- Club: Barcelona
- Twitter: @Pedri
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $94 million
2. Frenkie de Jong
The second player on our list is Netherlands star Frenkie de Jong who plays for Barcelona. He is a box-box midfielder known for his vision, passing, and dribbling techniques. De Jong has collected several individual awards, including the 2018/19 UEFA Midfielder of the Season.
Source: Getty Images
Frenkie de Jong’s profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Frenkie de Jong
- Date of birth: 12 May 1997
- Place of birth: Arkel, Netherlands
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 24 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.80m
- Position: Central midfielder
- Club: Barcelona
- Twitter: @DeJongFrenkie21
- Instagram: @frenkiedejong
- Facebook: @DeJongFrenkie21
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $91 million
1. Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne tops our list of best midfielders in the world at the moment. The Belgium and Manchester City star is considered the best-attacking midfielder in world football. He is the only player besides Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry to have won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award back to back.
Source: Facebook
Kevin De Bruyne’s profile summary (biography)
- Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
- Nickname: The Ginger Pele
- Date of birth: 28 June 1991
- Place of birth: Drongen, Ghent, Belgium
- Nationality: Belgian
- Age: 30 years (as of February 2022)
- Height: 1.81m
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- Club: Manchester City
- Twitter: @DeBruyneKev
- Instagram: @kevindebruyne
- Facebook: @DeBruyneOfficial
- Transfer market value as of February 2022: $106 million
Ranking among the best midfielders in the world is a massive privilege. However, that does not undermine their qualities. So, who else do you think deserved mention? Let us know in the comments who is your favorite midfielder ever.
Conclusion
Midfielders are generally considered the backbone of any squad. Generally, the best midfielders in the world are good at building the play, keeping control of the ball, and breaking defenses.
There are different positions that midfielders can play. They act as links between the defense and the attack.
