The 25 best defensive midfielders in world football - ranked

In the modern game, a defensive midfielder is required to be at their very best for the full 90 minutes, running with their engine on full blast.

They need to be relentless pressers, able to read every situation imaginable but also be talented on the ball, capable of intricately stroking it around at close range or picking a long-range pass. Often, it's hard to gain recognition in the best sides around the world if you play the anchor role, but every great team often has a number six making things tick.

So, we present the 25 players who are at the top of the game right now - primarily based on current form and standing at the highest level, taking into account injuries and excluding those who typically operate as a more rounded 'central' midfielder...

25. Manuel Ugarte

Manuel Ugarte was expected to be a transformative signing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 but he lasted just a season in Paris before being shipped off to Manchester United.

The Uruguayan's strengths are his tackling, defensive positioning and tireless work ethic in protecting the backline, skills that need to be balanced with immense technical ability to function in Luis Enrique's PSG midfield.

Ugarte will be hoping that his combative approach translates well in the Premier League following a disappointing stint in Ligue 1.

24. Konrad Laimer

Just like almost every other Bundesliga star who doesn't play for Bayern Munich, Konrad Laimer was destined to join the Bundesliga giants at some point.

The Austria international ran the show at RB Leipzig for six years and is now using his versatility to plug the gaps at Bayern, featuring as both a defensive midfielder and right-back.

However, his preferred placement is in the engine room, as exhibited at international level with indefatigable displays for Austria.

23. Morten Hjulmand

After honing his craft at Admira Wacker and then Lecce, Morten Hjulmund got his big break by moving to Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the summer of 2023.

The fact that some of the biggest clubs in world football are already chasing his signature tells you all you need to know about his continued progress, with the Denmark international instrumental in Sporting's Primeira Liga triumph last term.

22. Boubacar Kamara

Boubacar Kamara was very highly rated at Marseille for a long time, but he ended up going slightly under the radar before signing for Aston Villa.

Under Unai Emery, he has been a crucial player, and can be credited with playing an important role in their rapid improvement.

However, a long-term injury suffered during the 2023/24 season has hampered his standing in this list.

21. N'Golo Kante

One of the best defensive midfielders in Premier League history, many people hadn't considered N'Golo Kante for quite some time after he joined the Saudi Pro League from Chelsea.

However, his displays with France at Euro 2024 once again demonstrated his immense ability in and out of possession, with the veteran hoovering up the ground like a man ten years his junior.

He's still got it, that's for sure.

20. Casemiro

Casemiro is one of the great modern-day defensive midfielders, having won countless trophies as Real Madrid's chief enforcer during the 2010s.

The urge to try something different saw the Brazilian join Manchester United and he enjoyed a domineering first campaign at Old Trafford, but his form has fallen off a cliff since. Casemiro's ailing legs don't allow him to screen his defence quite as effectively these days.

Still, his status as an all-time great is secure.

19. Aleksandar Pavlovic

Aleksandar Pavlovic has already established himself as an integral member of a star-studded Bayern Munich squad despite his tender age. The defensive midfielder has shown maturity beyond his years and the technical qualities of a seasoned pro.

If he continues on his current trajectory, Pavlovic will undoubtedly be one of the most eye-catching holding midfielders of the next decade, with the youngster already a Germany international.

18. Robert Andrich

A late bloomer to the top level scene, Robert Andrich is now a Bundesliga title winner with Bayer Leverkusen and a Germany international.

Patrolling the centre of the park alongside Granit Xhaka at club level, Andrich helped dethrone Bayern Munich after 12 years of domestic dominance, having clearly flourished under the coaching of Real Madrid and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso.

A tough-tackling midfielder, he's also capable of producing the odd stunner.

17. Youssouf Fofana

Youssouf Fofana likes to sit at the base of midfield but is just as adept at pushing forward and orchestrating attacking moves.

With an easy passing style that sets him apart from more rigid-minded defensive midfielders, Fofana blossomed at Monaco following Aurelien Tchouameni's departure.

However, he has now traded Monaco for AC Milan, where he will be hoping to thrive at one of Europe's giants.

16. Ryan Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch blossoming into an elite-level defensive midfielder at Liverpool was probably not on many people's 2024/25 bingo card, but the Dutch international has thrived under his compatriot Arne Slot.

After struggling to make a significant impact in his debut season under Jurgen Klopp, Gravenberch was moved into a number six role by Slot and has been a surprise success. He's performed his defensive responsibilities admirably and is an excellent contributor in possession.

15. Joao Neves

Don't know much about Joao Neves yet? Don't worry, you're probably not the only one.

That's all likely to change in the very near future, however, with the former Benfica youngster having made the lucrative move to Paris Saint-Germain. The Portugal international has already made a swift impact in the French capital and will only improve in the years to come.

Despite being diminutive in stature, Neves is a tenacious fighter in the centre of the park, but he also boasts terrific technical ability when on the ball.

14. Yves Bissouma

Former Brighton & Hove Albion star Yves Bissouma was regarded as a super signing by Tottenham during a window which was meant to catapult the Lilywhites to a new realm with Antonio Conte in charge.

However, the midfielder's debut season in north London was tough. His first few appearances under Conte were sub-par and it seemed as if he never quite garnered the trust of the Italian before his injury setback.

Nevertheless, Bissouma's talent is undeniable and we've seen how good he can be under Ange Postecoglou.

13. Amadou Onana

Boasting prodigious dexterity and industry, Amadou Onana instantly became a key player at Everton after becoming one of their most expensive signings ever.

The imposing midfielder has transferred his skills to Aston Villa, immediately impressing for the Midlands side with his dominant displays in the engine room.

Onana's current surroundings represents a dramatic shift from his playing days in Belgium, where Zulte Waregem had to be persuaded to fund his train tickets.

12. Thomas Partey

Ghana international Thomas Partey loves to drop a shoulder to create space in midfield where he can roam forward and set off attacks.

He was technically advanced at a young age while developing at Atletico Madrid, playing a wide range of positions under Diego Simeone before settling in a deeper midfield role.

Injuries have prevented him from reaching his absolute peak at Arsenal but he's still an excellent talent on his day.

11. Moises Caicedo

There are certainly high hopes for British record-signing Moises Caicedo at Chelsea.

Having forked out an astonishing £115m for the midfielder, Caicedo will be expected to lead Chelsea into a very successful period in the club's history, even if his debut season at Stamford Bridge was tough to say the least.

A positive end to last season has been maintained in 2024/25, with Caicedo beginning to show why Chelsea splashed the cash on the Ecuador international.

10. Martin Zubimendi

Martin Zubimendi has been contacted by Europe's elite clubs over recent transfer windows after dazzling with his boyhood club Real Sociedad. The holding midfielder also shone during his limited game time at Euro 2024 with Spain.

However, the midfielder has been reluctant to leave San Sebastian and turned down a lucrative advance from Liverpool last summer to continue his journey in the blue and white of Real Sociedad.

No matter who he represents, Zubimendi is a classy operator at the base of midfield.

9. Vitinha

Vitinha had to bide his time to find regular minutes in Paris Saint-Germain's side, but he's now showing exactly why the Ligue 1 giants picked him up from FC Porto.

The Portuguese international is so tidy on the ball, has a healthy eye for goal, and has helped PSG transition seamlessly into an era without Marco Verratti.

Whether playing as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced role, Vitinha always catches the eye.

8. Hakan Calhanoglu

Having started his career featuring in a much more advanced role, Hakan Calhanoglu has naturally sank deeper in the midfield over recent years. Now residing in Inter's engine room, the Turkish star is one of the best in the business.

Able to dictate the tempo for last season's Serie A champions, Calhanoglu has developed the defensive acumen to accompany his immense technical ability and powerful strike.

In February 2024, Calhanoglu named himself as the best midfielder in world football. He certainly doesn't lack confidence.

7. Joao Palhinha

The top tackling player in the Premier League during 2022/23, it's fair to say Fulham might not have stayed up that year without Joao Palhinha.

The Portugal international thrived under Marco Silva, shielding the back four with incredible ease before a move to Bayern Munich broke down at the start of 2023/24.

However, Palhinha eventually made the move to Bavaria last summer after several years of service in west London and will be chasing the top prizes in Germany.

6. Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka leaving Arsenal as a fan favourite captured his remarkable renaissance at the Emirates.

The often scapegoated midfielder's relationship with Gunners supporters came to a head in October 2019 when he was jeered by fans while he trudged off the pitch. Mikel Arteta's arrival offered the Swiss international a new lease of life and he re-emerged as a key figure in north London.

He is now central to Bayer Leverkusen's incredible upsurge, even scoring the winner in the DFB Pokal final last term.

5. Bruno Guimaraes

Bruno Guimaraes was very good and perhaps underrated for a few years at Lyon, but his first season at Newcastle cemented him as one of the best all-round midfielders in the world.

The Brazilian was arguably their most important player as they qualified for the Champions League and reached the Carabao Cup final. He grabbed ten goals and six assists in 2022/23 from 57 games, a great return for a midfielder who is also very good in the tackle and does a lot of hard yards for the team.

He has continued to impress in subsequent seasons, with the sky the limit for his talents.

4. Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich is one of the most versatile top-level players in the game today and has been central to Bayern Munich's near constant trophy-winning in recent years.

His brilliance at the base of midfield, ability to keep things ticking over and break up play on an unprecedented level make him an outstanding asset, one who can also play at right-back when required.

3. Aurelien Tchouameni

Real Madrid extensively scouted Aurelien Tchouameni during his time at Monaco and must have been impressed by the amount of defensive work - particularly tackles and interceptions - he gets through, though his progressive game isn't half shabby either.

He has been living up to his €100m price tag and is one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti's team sheet when fit, helping the club win a record 15th Champions League title last season.

The Frenchman is a difficult man to get past for attacking midfielders.

2. Declan Rice

Declan Rice has improved at an incredible rate in recent years and is now leading Arsenal's midfield following his £105m move from West Ham United. Some scoffed at the price tag, but he's lived up to it effortlessly.

Few players can match the England international's sublime tackling rate and ability to snuff out danger, while he has also operated in more advanced roles for the Gunners in recent times.

His set-piece delivery and ability to score clutch goals has improved since moving to north London and it's only a matter of time before he wins a major title with the Gunners.

1. Rodri

It took a season or so for Rodri to get to grips with the rigours of Premier League football, but since acclimatising there have been few better in defensive midfield than the Spaniard.

Fast forward to the present day and Rodri has elevated his game to the highest level, showing just how much of a world class operator he is. Scoring the winner in the 2023 Champions League final and claiming the Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2024 boosted his stock a fair bit.

A season-ending injury means he will be unable to dominate midfields in England and on the continent in 2024/25, but that doesn't affect his status as the best in the business.

READ MORE ON THE BEST 25 PLAYERS FOR EVERY POSITION IN WORLD FOOTBALL