Top 10 greatest midfielders of all time
A match on the football pitch is run by these gems. Midfielders are the players who are the engine of the team. The link between defence and attack, they can split an opposition defence with one pass or make a crucial tackle to deny a goalscoring opportunity for their opponents.
There have been some truly amazing midfielders who have graced the beautiful game and picking the best 10 out of the long list is no easy task.
Without much ado, let us look at the top 10 greatest midfielders of all time.
Note: Only central midfielders have been included, players who played as wingers and attacking midfielders have not been considered.
#10 Patrick Vieira
A dynamic midfield player whose ability to bring the ball from defence to attack was a marvel to behold, Patrick Vieira was the captain of the incredible Arsenal “invincibles” side.
Vieira led his team by example and was a player whose quality of tackling, passing energy and determination made him a natural fit for the league and an easy player for the Arsenal fans to fall for.
The ability to regularly beat people with the ball, especially in the middle, is a rare one, but to Vieira, this seemed to come naturally. A combination of height and strength added to technique and composure led to him rapidly becoming a vital cog within Arsenal’s gameplan.
The facts of Vieira’s career speak for themselves; at the time of his retirement, he had amassed 107 caps for France (including the ’98 World Cup and 2000 Euros), featured in six seasons in a row in the PFA Team of the year at Arsenal, won three Premier Leagues and four FA Cups.
Viera is currently in the Premier League as the manager of Crystal Palace.
#9 Didi
Pele, Garrincha and co get all the credits for Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup triumphs, but the engine of the team who gave the attackers the freedom to terrorise defences was a midfielder who went by the name Waldyr Periera, also known as Didi.
He had an excellent passing range and technique, but what he is renowned for is his unique free-kicks. A dead-ball specialist, he is credited with inventing the Folha Seca (dry leaf) free-kick, which was later used by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Juninho.
Didi’s best moment was when he was awarded the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (Player of the tournament) for his stunning performances in the 1958 World Cup. He retired after the 1962 World Cup, where he once again played a starring role in Brazil’s spectacular triumph.