Who are the best central midfielders in the world? You know how the old cliches go: centre-forwards who win you games and defences win you leagues. Yet there is no denying teams are built around the men in the middle of the park.
Euro 2024 will be here before you know it – and we asked our team of football experts for their definitive list of the best 10 CMs on Earth. They've analysed everyone from deep-lying playmakers to mezzalas and everything in between, assessing form, ability and record.
Tell us whether you agree @FourFourTwo – and check out the other positions we've analysed before.
We've also listed the best attacking midfielders in the world, along with the best defensive midfielders in the world.
We've ranked the best goalkeepers in the world, while in defence, and along with centre-halves, we've ranked the best centre-backs in the world, the best right-backs in the world, the best left-backs in the world and the best centre-backs in the world.
We also have lists of forwards, including the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world.
The 10 best central midfielders in the world right now: 10. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid and Germany)
The 34-year-old’s first leg of a fairytale ending came true when he won his sixth Champions League title at Wembley in his final club appearance, with just a home tournament to follow with Germany at Euro 2024 before he hangs up his boots.
Both Real Madrid and Germany will miss him when he’s gone, as he still has the ability to completely control a game from midfield, directing traffic and offering up pinpoint passes to a supporting cast that all play better when Kroos is alongside them.
9. Gavi (Barcelona and Spain)
Injury has cruelly denied us the pleasure of watching the 19-year-old cement his place as one of Barcelona’s key players this season – and play for Spain at the Euros – but the teenager should be a staple on lists like this for years to come when he returns from the ACL tear he suffered playing for Spain in November 2023.
Before his injury, Gavi showed remarkable composure for a player of his age, starting all four of Spain’s 2022 World Cup matches and running the Nou Camp midfield as Barca swept to the 2022/23 title. He will be back.
8. Luka Modric (Real Madrid and Croatia)
At the age of 38, Croatia schemer Modric shows no signs of losing the desire and drive that have seen him win six Champions Leagues and turn out more than 170 times for his country.
Anyone with a passing interest in the game will be well aware of what Modric has brought to the table over the past two decades and he still continues to boss games at the highest level for Real Madrid. He looks set to return for another season at the Bernabeu next year and few would be surprised if he’s still there when he turns 40.
7. Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland)
Granit Xhaka ended his seven-year spell at Arsenal last summer, but even he would not have expected what was to come at Bayer Leverkusen this year. He ended the domestic season by scoring a 30-yard winner in the German cup final to cap a double for Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten history makers.
The 31-year-old was at the heart of Bayer’s midfield, dictating play, breaking up attacks and proving that he still had an eye for goal. He'll captain Switzerland at Euro 2024 this summer.
6. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool and Argentina)
Alexis Mac Allister followed up his World Cup win with a move to Liverpool last summer and the 25-year-old continues to go from strength to strength: he'll be at Copa America with Argentina this summer, too.
AMA ticks every box that you want from a world-class midfielder and was one of the Reds' best performers this season, especially when he was given license to attack more in the number eight position. Found the net seven times this season, scoring some of Liverpool’s most spectacular goals of the campaign in the process.
5. Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain and France)
When Arsene Wenger compares a player to Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Patrick Vieira, people sit up and listen.
The 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain starlet has made waves this season, becoming the third-youngest player to play for France, scoring on his Les Bleus debut in November. Powerful, a ball-winner and able to charge around from box-to-box, this summer’s Euro 2024 may be slightly early for him to announce his arrival, but big things are expected from the teenager in years to come.
4. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid and Uruguay)
The Uruguay star is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who is a vital cog in the dominant Real Madrid team that have again been crowned champions of Europe. As well as combining strong tackling with an eye for a killer pass, he also has a habit of scoring on the big occasion, with his volley in the quarter-final win over Manchester City voted the best Champions League goal of the season.
The 25-year-old has recently shown that he doesn’t lack self-confidence, as he has confirmed he will be taking the retiring Toni Kroos’ number eight shirt at the Bernabeu next season as he enters his peak years.
3. Pedri (Barcelona and Spain)
Still only 21 years of age, Pedri has racked up almost 150 senior appearances for Barcelona, despite several hamstring injuries and looks set to start for Spain at Euro 2024 this summer.
At his best when he is given free rein to move between the lines and utilise his excellent technical skills, his composure on the ball and playmaking ability mean he has the tools to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta at Camp Nou for years to come.
2. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City and Portugal)
One of Pep Guardiola’s favourite players, Silva’s commitment, versatility, work-rate and intelligence on the pitch have been vital in Manchester City’s rise to a footballing superpower.
Included on this list as a central midfielder, the Portugal star is an elite talent across the park, with Pep and City are yet to find a position that he doesn’t excel in. With six Premier League winners’ medals banked, there has been recent speculation that the 29-year-old may be up for a new challenge in the near future.
1. Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona and Germany)
After bowing out at Manchester City by skippering the side to the treble a year ago, the 33-year-old is now preparing to captain his country in a home tournament.
While he ended the season trophyless with Barcelona, Gundogan proved he can still mix it with the very best, as he was one of the team’s best players, quickly asserting his influence among his new teammates. An elite passer, who should be able to enjoy a more advanced role with Germany at Euro 2024 this summer.
