Perhaps one of the most common questions in football is: Who are the top ten midfielders of all time? That's why we've dedicated this article to introducing you to the ten greatest midfielders in history.
Zinedine Zidane
Before the French-Algerian, Zinedine Zidane, began making history as a coach for Real Madrid in recent years, he had already cemented his name as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.Zizou, who retired from professional football in 2006, delivered unforgettable performances in midfield for various clubs, most notably Real Madrid and the French national team.
Zidane's Stats and Achievements with Real Madrid
When we delve into Zidane’s individual stats with his most notable club, Real Madrid, we find that he played 227 matches, scoring 49 goals and providing 68 assists.Although midfielders are not always evaluated purely by numbers, Zidane’s stats clearly underline his crucial role with Los Merengues.
Zidane's Stats and Achievements with the French National Team
Zidane's individual record with Les Bleus further solidifies his standing as one of the greatest midfielders in European and world football history.
Zidane played 108 international matches for France, scoring 31 goals and providing 30 assists.
Xavi Hernandez
Xavi and Zidane may not have achieved the same level of success with Spain's two biggest clubs, but they share a commonality in their exceptional midfield play.A product of La Masia, Xavi's performances for Barcelona were unforgettable for the Camp Nou faithful. As a key player in arguably Barcelona's greatest ever team under Pep Guardiola, Xavi boasts an impressive individual record with both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.Xavi's Stats and Achievements with Barcelona
Often referred to as "La Computadora" (The Computer) by his fans, he played 769 matches for his current team, scoring 85 goals and providing 182 assists.Xavi's Stats and Achievements with the Spanish National Team
While Xavi's numbers with Spain may not suggest a dominant international presence, he was a key figure in La Roja's historic triumphs, such as the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
In 133 appearances for Spain, the current Barcelona coach scored 13 goals.
Luka Modric
Our list of the top ten midfielders of all time doesn’t just feature retired players; it also includes those who are still gracing the pitch.Luka Modric, after captivating the attention of his current club president Florentino Perez while at Tottenham Hotspur, continues to write an extraordinary history with Real Madrid.
Modric's Key Achievements with Real Madrid
Modric has played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s success since his arrival, contributing significantly to the club's five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga titles.Modric's Key Achievements with the Croatian National Team
Though Modric has yet to win a major trophy with Croatia, his nation's expectations are generally lower in international competitions, as Croatia is considered a mid-tier European side.
Modric's remarkable efforts helped Croatia reach the semifinals of the recent Qatar World Cup, and they were runners-up in the previous World Cup in Russia, where Modric won the Ballon d'Or.
Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta, affectionately known as "El Ilusionista" by the Camp Nou crowd, is also one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He formed a unique partnership with Xavi Hernandez during the best era in Barcelona’s history under Guardiola.Now playing in the UAE’s Arabian Gulf League, Iniesta has remained out of the media spotlight since leaving Barcelona in 2018.
Iniesta's Stats and Achievements with Barcelona
In 674 appearances for Barcelona across various competitions, Iniesta scored 57 goals and provided 140 assists.Iniesta's Stats and Achievements with the Spanish National Team
Iniesta’s unforgettable moment with La Roja came when he sealed the 2010 World Cup for Spain with his historic goal in the final against the Netherlands.
Iniesta's international career includes 124 matches, 13 goals, and 26 assists.
Mesut Ozil
Unfortunately, many lists of the greatest midfielders in history omit the name of the legendary German of Turkish descent, Mesut Ozil. He dazzled on the global stage, particularly with Real Madrid and Arsenal.Ozil, known as "The Assist King," may not have had the longest career, but his numbers highlight his extraordinary quality as a playmaker.
Ozil's Stats and Achievements with Clubs
Across his various club stints, Mesut Ozil played 605 matches, providing an astonishing 222 assists and scoring 97 goals.Ozil's Stats and Achievements with the German National Team
In 92 appearances for Germany, Ozil scored 23 goals and provided 40 assists.
Steven Gerrard
The English midfield legend Steven Gerrard is one of the greatest midfielders in England’s history and a role model for many of today’s Three Lions stars, including Jude Bellingham.Gerrard, who made his name with Liverpool, proved his quality in the most challenging league for midfielders, the Premier League, and has numerous impressive international stats as well.
Gerrard's Stats and Achievements with Liverpool
With Liverpool, Gerrard played 710 matches, scoring 186 goals and providing 92 assists.Gerrard is one of the few legendary midfielders who scored more goals than he assisted, meaning that he is one of the midfield legends tasked with purely offensive tasks
Andrea Pirlo
What sets Pirlo apart from other legendary midfielders is his Italian nationality. While Italy is known for producing defensive legends, their midfield has historically not been given the same importance, with defense always being the priority.Pirlo, with an impressive record at Juventus and AC Milan, as well as with the Italian national team, is one of the most beloved players among Italian fans.
Pirlo's Stats and Achievements with Clubs
Pirlo played 752 matches across various clubs, scoring 73 goals and providing 86 assistsPirlo's Stats and Achievements with the Italian National Team
With Italy, Pirlo made 116 appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 23 assists.
Toni Kroos
A few years ago, some might have considered Toni Kroos just another star in the football world. However, his remarkable consistency and performances have proven him to be one of the greatest midfielders in German history.Toni Kros’s stats from the current season
So far, Kroos has played 42 matches for Real Madrid in various competitions, scoring one goal. More importantly, he has provided seven assists as a midfielder, showcasing his value as a playmaker.Paul Scholes
It’s unfortunate that Paul Scholes, despite his impressive career with Manchester United and the English national team, hasn’t received the praise he truly deserves.Scholes, who was even lauded by Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, has an impressive individual record, which we’ll highlight below.
Scholes' Stats and Achievements with Manchester United
In 696 matches for Manchester United, Paul Scholes scored 146 goals and provided 48 assists.These stats might explain why Scholes doesn’t receive the media attention he deserves; his numbers are modest compared to other midfielders. However, his overall impact on the pitch places him among the top ten midfielders in history.
Frank Lampard
Speaking of legendary English midfielders, we must mention Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, who also managed the club for a period.In terms of numbers, Lampard might be considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time. What also sets him apart is his brilliance in the Premier League, a league known for being incredibly demanding for midfielders.