Midfielders win football matches. They control the tempo, break up attacks, create chances, and score goals. In the 2025/26 season, the battle for the best midfielder in the world has never been this competitive.
From PSV’s creative genius Joey Veerman to Como’s 21-year-old sensation Nico Paz, this season has given us midfielders playing at an extraordinary level across different leagues and systems.
This list is based on Sofascore data as of March 4, 2026. If you love football and want to turn that knowledge into something more, join FantasyFi today and pick these players in your daily fantasy football lineup.
How we ranked these midfielders
These rankings are based solely on current 2025/26 season performance. Here is what we looked at when building this list:
- Sofascore average rating: The main scoring benchmark. A rating above 7.5 across 25+ matches is elite level.
- Goal contributions: Goals and assists combined across all competitions.
- Chance creation: Big chances created, key passes per game, and passes into the final third.
- Defensive output: Tackles won, interceptions, and ball recoveries.
- Passing accuracy: How clean and precise they are with the ball.
- Consistency: Showing up week after week at a high level, not just in one or two matches.
Note: This list is in no particular order. Every player here deserves their place among the best midfielders in the world right now.
1. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world right now. The Paris Saint-Germain man has been absolutely outstanding this season, and his numbers back it up completely.
At 26, Vitinha has become the heartbeat of a PSG side that is defending its Champions League title. His composure on the ball, his movement between the lines, and his ability to control the tempo of a match put him ahead of everyone on this list.
He finished third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting and was included in the FIFPRO World XI, recognising his role in PSG’s historic Champions League triumph last season. This season, he has taken his game to another level.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 36 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 10 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.94 |
| Passing accuracy | 94.3% |
| Passes into the final third | 100+ |
| Ball recoveries (league) | 117 |
A 94.3% passing accuracy is not just good. It is historic for a midfielder operating under high pressure. Vitinha does not give the ball away. He receives it, turns, and moves the game forward with purpose.
His 117 ball recoveries in the league show the defensive side, too. He is not just a ball-player. He wins it back.
2. Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven)
Joey Veerman is the most underrated player on this list. The PSV midfielder has been producing numbers that most attacking players would be happy with, and he does it from central midfield.
At 27, Veerman has become one of the most complete midfielders in European football. PSV have dominated the Eredivisie again this season, and Veerman’s creativity has been a huge reason why. He won the Eredivisie Player of the Month awards in both December 2025 and January 2026, showing just how consistent he has been.
In the Champions League, he has been a standout performer, with PSV making it deep into the competition on the back of his vision and passing range.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 34 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 14 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.91 |
| Key passes per game | 3.86 |
| Big chances created | 26 |
| Passing accuracy | 85.9% |
14 assists and 26 big chances created. Those are winger numbers coming from a central midfielder. Veerman sees passes that others simply do not. His 3.86 key passes per game lead the competition, making him one of the most creative players in Europe this season.
3. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Declan Rice has become a complete midfielder. Not just a defensive one. Not just a ball-winner. He is now a genuine all-rounder who controls games from central midfield, scores from set pieces, and ranks among the top chance creators in the Premier League.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League as of March 2026, fighting for their first title in over two decades, and Rice has been described as the heartbeat of the team. He ranks second in the division for chances created behind Bruno Fernandes, and only Martin Zubimendi has played more outfield Premier League minutes for Arsenal than Rice this season.
Earlier this season, he scored twice in a Premier League match for the first time, both as clinical finishes against Bournemouth. He also scored a stunning free-kick brace against Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League, a moment that showed he has added goals to his game in a serious way.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | All competitions |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 9 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.91 |
| Tackles won | 54 |
| Interceptions | 30 |
| Passing accuracy | 88% |
54 tackles won, and 30 interceptions show you why Arsenal trusts him to anchor their midfield. But 9 assists and 4 goals show you why he is more than just a defensive player now.
For fantasy football Premier League picks, Rice is one of the safest selections available. Consistent minutes, set-piece involvement, and regular attacking returns.
4. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich has been playing some of the best football of his career this season. After years of debate about his best position, Kimmich has fully settled as a central midfielder at Bayern Munich, and the results speak for themselves.
Bayern are competing on multiple fronts in the 2025/26 season, and Kimmich is the engine room, making everything work. His ability to read the game, distribute quickly, and create chances from deep makes him impossible to leave off this list.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 33 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 8 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.91 |
| Key passes | 84 |
| Big chances created | 16 |
84 key passes and 16 big chances created show that Kimmich is constantly unlocking defences. His 7.91 rating across 33 appearances is a sign that he is doing his job brilliantly, week after week.
Kimmich also brings intensity in his defensive work, pressing high and winning the ball in dangerous positions. He is the kind of midfielder who makes everyone around him better.
5. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes remains one of the most productive midfielders in world football. At 31, some thought he might be past his best, but this season has shown that he still has a lot to offer at the highest level.
He leads the Premier League in assists this season and ranks first for chances created in the entire division. Despite playing for a Manchester United side that has struggled for consistency, Fernandes has continued to produce at an elite level.
He was the Premier League’s most dangerous set-piece taker since joining Arsenal’s Rice in that particular category, and his ability to score and assist from open play and dead-ball situations makes him a nightmare for opposition defences.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 27 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 14 |
| Big chances created | 19 |
| Passing accuracy | 84% |
| Tackles per game | 1.6 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.5 |
7 goals and 14 assists in 27 matches is a goal contribution every other game. For a midfielder, that output is exceptional. His 19 big chances created also show he is not just finishing opportunities, he is building them too.
6. Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal)
Ruben Neves is the biggest surprise on this list for some people. The Portuguese midfielder moved to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal in 2023, and many assumed he had chosen comfort over competition. He proved everyone wrong.
Neves has been dominant in the Saudi Pro League and continues to perform at the highest level for the Portugal national team. In October 2025, he scored his first senior international goal, a stoppage-time header, in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ireland. He also signed a new contract extension with Al-Hilal in February 2026, committing until 2029.
His passing range, vision, and ability to dictate the tempo of a match have not dropped one bit. If anything, playing in a less congested league has given him more freedom to express himself.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 31 (Al-Hilal + Portugal) |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Big chances created | 16 |
| Passing accuracy | 89.5% |
| League penalty conversion | 100% (6 from 6) |
10 goals from midfield is an incredible return. His 100% penalty conversion rate in league play adds another dimension to his value. Neves is not just a passer; he is a genuine goal threat.
The fact that he continues to play regularly for Portugal in World Cup qualification proves he still belongs at the top level of world football.
7. Luka Modric (AC Milan)
Luka Modric is 40 years old and on this list. Let that sink in.
After leaving Real Madrid in the summer of 2025, Modric fulfilled a lifelong dream by joining AC Milan on a free transfer. He hit the ground running immediately, scoring the winning goal against Bologna in just his third Serie A appearance and becoming the oldest player to debut in Serie A, breaking a record that had stood for decades.
As of February 2026, he scored another winning goal against Pisa to keep Milan’s Scudetto hopes alive. Reports after that match spoke of confidence in getting a contract renewal, with an option for a further year, taking him to 2027.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 29 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.75 |
| Accurate passes (Serie A) | 1,415 |
| Pass accuracy | 91% |
| Tackles (Serie A) | 42 |
1,415 accurate passes at 91% accuracy at the age of 40. Modric leads AC Milan in both total passes and passes into the final third. He is the midfield metronome, controlling the rhythm of every match he plays in.
His 7.75 average rating across 29 appearances shows this is not a nostalgia pick. He is genuinely performing at an elite level and making AC Milan a better team every single week.
8. Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
Hakan Calhanoglu has quietly become one of the best defensive midfielders in world football. Under Simone Inzaghi at Inter, the Turkish international has evolved from an attacking midfielder into a deep-lying playmaker who controls games from the base of midfield.
This season, he has continued that form in Serie A and the Champions League, contributing goals and assists while maintaining Inter’s defensive structure. His 92% passing accuracy in the Champions League puts him among the best passers in the competition.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 26 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.46 |
| Champions League passing accuracy | 92% |
| League clean sheets contributed to | 10 |
10 goals from a defensive midfielder is extraordinary. Calhanoglu takes penalties for Inter and converts them regularly, but his open play contributions are just as impressive. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, turn, and drive forward makes him very difficult to stop.
9. Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
Bruno Guimaraes is the most physically dominant midfielder on this list. The Brazilian has been outstanding for Newcastle this season, combining power and technical quality in a way that very few midfielders can match.
Newcastle have been in strong form in the Premier League, and Guimaraes has been central to that. He breaks up attacks, wins the ball back quickly, and then immediately starts the next move forward. His stats this season show just how hard he works across 90 minutes.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 34 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.49 |
| Passing accuracy (PL) | 88% |
| Tackles won | 289 |
289 tackles won. That number alone tells you everything about his engine and work rate. He is not just winning the ball; he is winning it nearly every time he goes for it. 9 goals from midfield add an attacking dimension, making him a genuine all-rounder.
10. Nico Paz (Como)
Nico Paz is 21 years old. He left Real Madrid’s academy in 2024, joined Serie A newcomers Como under manager Cesc Fabregas, and has been one of the most exciting players in European football this season.
He scored Como’s winning goal as they beat Juventus for the first time since 1952 in October 2025. He was also named Serie A’s Rising Star of the Month for September 2025. His market value has reached 66.4 million euros, a sign of how seriously clubs across Europe are watching him.
Real Madrid holds a buy-back clause that allows them to re-sign him for 10 million euros in 2026. Given the season he is having, that clause looks like one of the biggest bargains in football.
2025/26 Season Stats (Sofascore, all competitions as of March 4, 2026):
| Matches played | 27 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Sofascore average rating | 7.34 |
| Key chances created | 41 |
| Successful tackles | 31 |
41 key chances created at 21 years old. He leads Como in shot-creating actions, progressive passes, and passes into the penalty area. He does not just fit Fabregas’s system at Como; he defines it.
Honourable mentions for the top 10 best midfielders in the world
These players were very close to making the top 10. Keep an eye on them for the rest of the season:
1. Joao Neves (PSG)
The 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder has been exceptional at PSG this season. His energy, pressing ability, and quick passing have made him one of the most valuable players on the squad, even as he shares minutes with Vitinha. He is only going to get better.
2. Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
The Argentine has come into his own at Chelsea this season. He brings leadership, power, and an eye for goal from midfield. His 11 goals and 4 assists across 35 appearances this season show he is a major threat in the Premier League.
3. Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
Caicedo has been doing two jobs in Chelsea’s midfield all season. His defensive stats have been among the best in the Premier League, and he offers balance and protection that allow Chelsea’s attackers to express themselves.
4. Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal)
The Saudi Arabia captain and Al-Hilal winger-turned-midfielder has been in brilliant form in the Saudi Pro League alongside Ruben Neves. His energy, directness, and goal threat make him one of the best players in his league.
What these midfielders tell us about the 2025/26 season
This is not a season dominated by one style of midfielder. You have a pure playmaker at the top in Vitinha, a defensive powerhouse in Declan Rice, a legendary veteran in Modric, and a 21-year-old generational talent in Nico Paz.
What they all share is consistency. Every player on this list has maintained high performance across a full season, not just a few good games. That is what separates great midfielders from good ones.
If you follow football closely and you understand what makes these players special, you already have an edge in daily fantasy football. Head over to FantasyFi.io and put that knowledge to work. Pick your team, enter a contest, and compete for real cash prizes every gameweek.
Frequently asked questions about the top 10 best midfielders in the world
Q) Who is the best midfielder in the world in 2026?
A) Based on Sofascore data for the 2025/26 season, Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain holds the top spot. His 7.94 average rating across 36 matches, combined with 94.3% passing accuracy and 10 assists, puts him ahead of everyone else right now.
Q) Is Declan Rice the best midfielder in the Premier League?
A) Rice ranks among the top midfielders in the Premier League in 2026. He ranks second in the division for chances created and leads Arsenal’s push for the title. His combination of defensive solidity and attacking contribution makes a strong case for him being the complete Premier League midfielder.
Q) Is Luka Modric still world-class at 40?
A) Yes. His 2025/26 season at AC Milan has been remarkable. 1,415 accurate passes at 91% accuracy, two match-winning goals, and a 7.75 Sofascore rating across 29 appearances prove he is still operating at a very high level.
Q) How do I use these players in fantasy football?
A) You can pick many of these midfielders on FantasyFi, the daily fantasy football platform built for African football fans. Create your team, pick your captain, and enter a contest to win real prizes in Naira.
Q) Who is Nico Paz?
A) Nico Paz is a 21-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder playing for Como in Serie A. He is a former Real Madrid academy player who has become one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, with 10 goals and 6 assists this season. Real Madrid holds a buy-back clause on him.