'The best defensive midfielders in the world' is the kind of list we might not have been able to publish 20-odd years ago.
According to raging Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane, midfielders weren't separated into specialist roles in the '90s – they were all required both to get forward and put a tackle in when necessary.
In modern football, it's a necessity of any team that a specialised defensive midfielder holds the midfield together – even if the roles become blurred during games. Given the importance of the position, it's a list in which there are a lot world-class candidates, too – and plenty of variety.
How our experts decided the best defensive midfielders in the world
From registas to the good, old-fashioned ball-winning midfielder, all kinds of No.6 has been assessed by our team of experts, from the cultured, passing types to the pure destroyers, just three months after our last update. We've looked at who's the most rounded, of course, but specialists still have their place: our list has been defined by who performs their job most effectively – regardless of what that job actually is.
Our experts judged on form over the last or year but took into account achievements prior to that in order to come up with a respectable collection of defensive midfielders that represents the current plethora of talent in world football who can play in that role. 16 players made our longlist before it was sifted down to a top 10, as voted by the team.
We've been busy deciding best midfielders with other lists, too. We have the complete list of the best central midfielders in the world and the best attacking midfielders in the world, along with the best DMs – while we've gone into depth in defence, too.
We've ranked the best goalkeepers in the world, the best right-backs in the world, the best centre-backs in the world and the best left-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. We also have a list of the best players in the world right now in any position – but let's dive into the DMs…
10. Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain)
At just 19 years old, Joao Neves has earned a reputation as one of the brightest young talents in Europe thanks to his rise to prominence at Benfica before he earned a summer move to Paris Saint-Germain. That more reserved midfield role can be difficult for most youngsters, but Neves gets around that by… well, not playing that conservatively.
Despite not looking like much at 5ft 9in, his powerful, large-shouldered frame has helped him punch above his weight in the air and made him one of Europe’s most prolific midfield tacklers. But Neves also likes skinning opponents for fun, helping him to make a wondrous start to life at PSG: he claimed four assists in his first two games for the club this season.
9. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
After a year of adaptation following his move from Bayern Munich to Liverpool in 2023, Ryan Gravenberch has become a key man in midfield under Arne Slot. His strength and athleticism, his driving runs through the lines, his ability to retain possession: all of this has given Liverpool a presence in midfield that they had previously lacked.
The Dutchman has taken his game to another level in 2024 and will be hoping to further progress alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield.
8. Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
England fans got their hopes up when Rodri left the Euro 2024 final. They shouldn’t have done.
That Spain didn’t miss a beat with Martin Zubimendi pulling the strings deep in midfield is testament to the way he goes about his business: understated, yet incredible secure and composed in possession. The Basque metronome has turned down Europe’s best to remain with Real Sociedad – and the overtures of the elite should signal just what a classy operator he is in the centre of the park.
7. Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
Hakan Calhanoglu has enjoyed an excellent career in Europe after emerging as a top talent in the Bundesliga. He first came to prevalence because of his exceptional set-pieces, but he has proved far more than just a free-kick taker.
The Turkey international has played perhaps the best football of his career with Inter since 2021, netting a career-best 15 goals in all competitions in 2023/24 on the way to his first Serie A title. As well as goal scoring, Calhanoglu’s impressive passing range makes Inter Milan tick in midfield.
6. Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
Need a job doing? Ask Cama. The Frenchman can do it all. A product of the Rennes Academy, Camavinga rose to prominence for this dazzling technical ability and surprising physicality as a central midfielder at the age of 16 before signing for Real Madrid just two years later.
Since then, Camavinga’s growth has been exponential. Deployed across the midfield and even at left-back, the Frenchman’s engine and ball-winning abilities have developed tenfold at the Bernabeu and have been rewarded with two Champions League titles in the early knockings of his career.
5. Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
Aurelien Tchouameni is a versatile young Frenchman with a big future ahead of him at Real Madrid. The defensive side of his game was on display plenty last season as he filled in at centre-back, but he is more effective in the defensive midfield role.
Tchouameni as that habit of putting in performances that may not jump out to the viewer, especially in a star-packed team, but are quietly crucial in how his team plays. The next Makelele? That might be doing him a disservice…
4. Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
Big things were expected of Moises Caicedo when he joined Chelsea from Brighton for an eye-watering £100m. It took some time for the Ecuadorian to bed in during a tumultuous time at Stamford Bridge, but he is now beginning to show some return on investment.
Under new manager Enzo Maresca in 2024/25, Caicedo is a key player in holding midfield, doing the dirty work that allows the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson to flourish further up the pitch.
3. Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
He’s stayed put on Tyneside – and he’s far from complaining about it. Bruno Guimaraes sets the standard at Newcastle when it comes to playing for the badge, putting in the kind of passion, aggression and intensity that Eddie Howe demands from everyone.
Bruno is a typical Brazilian midfielder: a deft touch, ability to split defences either with a pass or a bustling dribble through the centre of the pitch, and not afraid of the physical side of the game. Since arriving in English football, the Magpies have gone from 19th to the Parc des Princes – and this guy’s a huge reason why.
2. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
That Declan Rice barely plays in defensive midfield is a credit to him. The England international is a complete footballer capable at No.8, filling in there for Mikel Arteta as he melds his Arsenal midfield together following the signing of Mikel Merino.
Rice is one of the best duel-winners in the world, however, superb positionally – and as if that wasn't enough, as added dead-ball prowess to his game over the past 12 months. A complete midfielder? Few thought it possible when he emerged as a rangey centre-back, but the Arsenal man is a leader of men and a multi-talented tool for the Gunners' XI.
1. Rodri (Manchester City)
Perhaps the best holding midfielder ever to play the game, Rodri’s status was secured by his 2024 Ballon d’Or win. The result was a surprise, given the expectation that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior would prevail. But instead it was Rodri, having helped Manchester City to yet another Premier League title and Spain to Euro 2024 glory, who received the accolade.
And it was warranted. There is no one better at dictating the tempo of a game, at breaking up play, at organising his team-mates, than Rodri. His importance to City has been further highlighted by his absence with an ACL injury.
