Intro
Discover the ultimate dream team with our expert rundown of the top 5 best centre midfielders of all time. From box-to-box maestros to deep-lying playmakers, we analyze the greatest midfield generals in football history, featuring legends like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and more, showcasing their incredible skills, vision, and dominance on the pitch.
The centre midfielder is a crucial position in football, responsible for controlling the tempo of the game, dictating the flow of play, and often scoring crucial goals. Throughout the history of the sport, there have been many exceptional centre midfielders who have made a significant impact on their teams and the game as a whole. Here, we will count down the top 5 best centre midfielders of all time.
5. Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is widely regarded as one of the greatest centre midfielders in Premier League history. The English midfielder played for Manchester United for over 20 years, winning 11 league titles, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, and numerous other honors. Scholes was known for his exceptional vision, passing range, and goal-scoring ability, scoring over 150 goals for United. He was also an integral part of England's national team, earning 66 caps and scoring 14 goals.
Scholes' Playing Style
Scholes was a deep-lying playmaker who excelled at controlling the tempo of the game. He was renowned for his ability to read the game, picking up pockets of space and dictating the flow of play. His vision and passing range were unparalleled, and he was often the catalyst for Manchester United's attacks.
4. Xavi Hernandez
Xavi Hernandez is a Spanish football legend who played for Barcelona for over 15 years. The midfielder was a key component of Barcelona's dominance in the late 2000s and early 2010s, winning 8 league titles, 4 UEFA Champions Leagues, and numerous other honors. Xavi was known for his exceptional passing ability, vision, and control, and was often the conductor of Barcelona's tiki-taka style of play.
Xavi's Playing Style
Xavi was a metronomic midfielder who excelled at controlling the tempo of the game. He was renowned for his ability to pick out passes that others couldn't see, and his vision and passing range were unparalleled. Xavi was also an exceptional dribbler, able to beat opponents with ease and create space for his teammates.
3. Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta is a Spanish football legend who played for Barcelona for over 15 years. The midfielder was a key component of Barcelona's dominance in the late 2000s and early 2010s, winning 8 league titles, 4 UEFA Champions Leagues, and numerous other honors. Iniesta was known for his exceptional vision, passing ability, and goal-scoring record, scoring over 35 goals for Barcelona.
Iniesta's Playing Style
Iniesta was a creative midfielder who excelled at finding space and creating chances for his teammates. He was renowned for his ability to score crucial goals, and his vision and passing range were unparalleled. Iniesta was also an exceptional dribbler, able to beat opponents with ease and create space for his teammates.
2. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is a French football legend who played for Juventus and Real Madrid. The midfielder was a key component of France's World Cup-winning team in 1998, and won numerous honors with Juventus and Real Madrid, including 2 UEFA Champions Leagues. Zidane was known for his exceptional skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability, scoring over 159 goals in his career.
Zidane's Playing Style
Zidane was a creative midfielder who excelled at finding space and creating chances for his teammates. He was renowned for his exceptional skill, able to beat opponents with ease and create space for his teammates. Zidane was also an exceptional goal-scorer, able to score crucial goals in big games.
1. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona is an Argentine football legend who played for Barcelona, Napoli, and Sevilla. The midfielder was a key component of Argentina's World Cup-winning team in 1986, and won numerous honors with Barcelona and Napoli. Maradona was known for his exceptional skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability, scoring over 259 goals in his career.
Maradona's Playing Style
Maradona was a creative midfielder who excelled at finding space and creating chances for his teammates. He was renowned for his exceptional skill, able to beat opponents with ease and create space for his teammates. Maradona was also an exceptional goal-scorer, able to score crucial goals in big games.
Centre Midfielders Image Gallery
These five centre midfielders are widely regarded as the best of all time, and for good reason. Each player brought a unique set of skills and qualities to the position, and their influence on the game cannot be overstated. Whether it's Paul Scholes' exceptional vision, Xavi Hernandez's metronomic passing, Andres Iniesta's creative spark, Zinedine Zidane's skill and goal-scoring ability, or Diego Maradona's exceptional skill and leadership, each player has left an indelible mark on the sport.