The midfield is the heartbeat of any football team, where creativity, control, and vision come together to dictate the pace of the game. As we enter the 2024/2025 season, the competition for the title of the Best Midfielders in the World Football is fierce, with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars making their mark on the global stage. From orchestrators of play to tireless ball recoverers, these players are the engine driving their teams toward success. In this blog, we take a closer look at the top midfielders dominating the world of football in 2024/2025.
10 Best Midfielders in the World Football in 2024/2025
10. Pedri (Barcelona)
- Full name: Pedro González López
- Date of birth: 25 November 2002
- Place of birth: Bajamar, Spain
- Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Number: 8
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2019–2020 | Las Palmas |
| 2020– | Barcelona |
In the 2023/24 season, Pedri made 38 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists. Despite Barcelona’s setbacks, Pedri’s performances were consistently strong, helping the team in both domestic and European matches.
As of December 2024, Pedri has made 19 appearances in La Liga, scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists.
9. Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid)
- Full name: Aurélien Djani Tchouaméni
- Date of birth: 27 January 2000
- Place of birth: Rouen, France
- Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Number: 14
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2017–2018 | Bordeaux II |
| 2018–2020 | Bordeaux |
| 2020–2022 | Monaco |
| 2022– | Real Madrid |
In the 2023/24 season, Tchouaméni made 38 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, contributing to the team’s successes. His performances were instrumental in Real Madrid’s successful campaigns, including winning the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles.
As of December 2024, Tchouaméni has made 14 appearances in La Liga, 5 in the UEFA Champions League, and 1 in the UEFA Super Cup.
8. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Full name: Florian Richard Wirtz
- Date of birth: 3 May 2003
- Place of birth: Pulheim, Germany
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Number: 10
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2020– | Bayer Leverkusen |
In the 2023/24 season, Wirtz made 32 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring 11 goals and providing 11 assists. His contributions were instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten league campaign, culminating in their first-ever Bundesliga title.
As of December 2024, Wirtz has made 15 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring 7 goals and providing 7 assists. His consistent performances have been crucial in Bayer Leverkusen’s strong position in the league.
7. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
- Full name: Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta
- Date of birth: 22 July 1998
- Place of birth: Montevideo, Uruguay
- Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Number: 8
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2015–2016 | Peñarol |
| 2016–2017 | Real Madrid B |
| 2017– | Real Madrid |
| 2017–2018 | → Deportivo La Coruña (loan) |
6. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Full name: Declan Rice
- Date of birth: 14 January 1999
- Place of birth: Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Number: 41
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2015–2023 | West Ham United |
| 2023– | Arsenal |
In the 2023/24 Premier League season, Rice made 38 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 7 goals and providing 8 assists. He made 38 appearances in the Premier League, providing defensive cover, and helping Arsenal control the midfield with his work rate. Defensive Contributions: Averaged around 2.3 tackles per game, 1.4 interceptions, and 3.6 recoveries. His composure in possession and ability to break up attacks proved crucial in Arsenal’s campaign.
As of December 2024, Rice has made 17 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists. His presence in midfield continues to be vital for Arsenal’s defensive stability and ball retention.
5. Bruno Fernandes (Man United)
- Full name: Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes
- Date of birth: 8 September 1994
- Place of birth: Maia, Portugal
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)
- Number: 8
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | Novara |
| 2013–2016 | Udinese |
| 2016–2017 | Sampdoria |
| 2017–2020 | Sporting CP |
| 2020– | Manchester United |
In the 2023/24 Premier League season, Fernandes made 38 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists.
As of December 2024, Fernandes has made 17 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 5 goals and providing 4 assists.
4. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- Full name: Martin Ødegaard
- Date of birth: 17 December 1998
- Place of birth: Drammen, Norway
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
- Number: 8
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Strømsgodset 3 |
| 2013–2014 | Strømsgodset 2 |
| 2014–2015 | Strømsgodset |
| 2015–2017 | Real Madrid Castilla |
| 2015–2021 | Real Madrid |
| 2017–2018 | → Heerenveen (loan) |
| 2018–2019 | → Vitesse (loan) |
| 2019–2020 | → Real Sociedad (loan) |
| 2021 | → Arsenal (loan) |
| 2021– | Arsenal |
Martin Ødegaard’s 2023/24 season as Arsenal’s central attacking midfielder (CAM) was stellar. He made 38 Premier League appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists.
As of December 2024, Ødegaard has made 17 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists.
3. Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
- Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
- Date of birth: 28 June 1991
- Place of birth: Drongen, Belgium
- Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.81 m)
- Number: 17
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2008–2012 | Genk |
| 2012–2014 | Chelsea |
| 2012–2013 | → Werder Bremen (loan) |
| 2014–2015 | VfL Wolfsburg |
| 2015– | Manchester City |
In the 2023/24 season, Kevin De Bruyne played 24 matches, scoring 6 goals and providing 17 assists. He was instrumental in Manchester City’s historic fourth consecutive Premier League title.
2. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Full name: Jude Victor William Bellingham
- Date of birth: 29 June 2003
- Place of birth: Stourbridge, England
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)
- Number: 5
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2019–2020 | Birmingham City |
| 2020–2023 | Borussia Dortmund |
| 2023– | Real Madrid |
In the 2023/24 season, Bellingham made 24 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 6 goals and providing 17 assists. His contributions were pivotal in securing the team’s fourth consecutive La Liga title.
1. Rodri (Man City)
- Full name: Rodrigo Hernández Cascante
- Date of birth: 22 June 1996
- Place of birth: Madrid, Spain
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
- Number: 16
Clubs Played for:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2015–2016 | Villarreal B |
| 2015–2018 | Villarreal |
| 2018–2019 | Atlético Madrid |
| 2019– | Manchester City |
Ranked number one on our list of the Best Midfielders in the World is Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
In the 2023/24 season, Rodri made 34 Premier League appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 9 assists. He played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s Premier League title, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup victories. Additionally, he was instrumental in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 triumph.
In the current 2024/25 season, Rodri has made 2 Premier League appearances, contributing 0 goals and 0 assists. He is currently sidelined due to an ACL injury.
