Best Defensive Midfielders in the World 2024: The role of a defensive midfielder or pivot has undergone significant changes in recent years due to the influence of top coaches around the world. As a result, we now see a variety of pivots who excel in different aspects of the game, sometimes neglecting their primary responsibility of patrolling the defensive zone of the midfield.
Best Players In The World By Position
Being a defensive midfielder is a challenging task. These players not only face defensive pressure from the opposing team, but they are also crucial in initiating their own team’s attacks.
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In modern football, the best defensive midfielders possess exceptional passing skills and a remarkable ability to analyze and understand the game. We also add article Best Defensive Midfielders In Football History.
How do we rank the best defensive midfielders in the world?
People have different opinions about the role of a defensive midfielder in football. Some believe that their job is straightforward, focusing only on defending and helping the team’s defense from the midfield. However, in recent years, defensive midfielders have shown that they are crucial in any team’s strategy. They not only provide defensive support but also contribute to building plays from deep positions with skill and a good understanding of the game.
- Tactical Awareness: 30%
- Ball-Winning Skills: 30%
- Defensive Contribution: 20%
- Game Vision: 20%
Best Defensive Midfielders in the World 2024
In this article, we talk about the best defensive midfielders in the world for the year 2024.
20. Casemiro
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Brazil, Spain
- Club: Manchester United
- Market Value: €40.00m
Carlos Henrique Casemiro had a good season playing as a midfielder for the Brazilian national team and Manchester United. He performed well in the 2022/2023 season, but Manchester United’s lack of titles slightly affects his position compared to the previous year.
Casemiro had a good season both with the national team and at the club level. However, the fact that he didn’t win the World Cup in 2022 and didn’t win any titles with Manchester United diminishes his achievements this year.
19. Stanislav Lobotka
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Slovakia
- Club: SSC Napoli
- Market Value: €40.00m
Stanislav Lobotka is a really good defensive midfielder who is praised for his skills in winning the ball, passing, and understanding the game. He is a strong and athletic player who is great at winning tackles and stealing the ball from opponents. He is also skilled at passing the ball both long and short distances and finding his teammates in open spaces.
Lobotka has been included in Napoli’s squad for the UEFA Champions League, but he lost to Milan in the quarter-final. Some people have even called these matches the “Maradona derby.”
Lobotka has already shown a lot of promise while playing for Celta Vigo and Napoli, and top clubs will likely be interested in him in the future.
18. Rúben Neves
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Portugal
- Club: Al Hilal
- Market Value: €40.00m
Rúben Neves is a fantastic defensive midfielder who is highly praised for his ability to win the ball, make accurate passes, and understand the game well. He is a strong and athletic player who excels at tackling opponents and intercepting passes. He is also skilled at passing the ball both long and short distances, and he has a knack for finding his teammates in open spaces.
On June 23, 2023, Wolves confirmed that Neves would be leaving the club. Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia announced the transfer, which set a new record sale for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The reported transfer fee was £47 million. Rúben Neves is an exceptional defensive midfielder with the potential to become one of the world’s best, but he still needs to work on his weaknesses.
17. Ismaël Bennacer
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Algeria, France
- Club: AC Milan
- Market Value: €40.00m
Ismaël Bennacer is an exceptional defensive midfielder who is highly regarded as one of the top players in the world by many experts. Despite being young and still developing, he has already demonstrated immense potential.
During the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Bennacer played a crucial role in Algeria’s victory, their first title in 29 years. He finished the tournament as the joint-top assist provider, alongside Franck Kessié, with three assists. His exceptional performances earned him recognition as both the “Best Young Player” and the “Best Player” of the tournament.
Ismaël Bennacer is an outstanding defensive midfielder with tremendous potential. While he has some areas to improve, if he addresses his weaknesses, he will undoubtedly become an invaluable asset to any team.
16. Martín Zubimendi
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Spain
- Club: Real Sociedad
- Market Value: €40.00m
Martín Zubimendi is an outstanding defensive midfielder who is highly regarded as one of the top players in the world by many experts. Despite his young age, he has already demonstrated remarkable potential.
When comparing Zubimendi to other exceptional defensive midfielders, he shares similarities with Sergio Busquets in terms of his positioning and passing ability. Additionally, he resembles N’Golo Kanté in his athleticism and work rate.
15. Tomas Soucek
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Czech Republic
- Club: West Ham
- Market Value: €35.00m
Tomas Soucek is a highly regarded defensive midfielder who currently ranks 15th among the best players in that position worldwide. This Czech player has established himself as a key figure for West Ham and has showcased his dominance in the Premier League through his imposing physique and excellent technical skills, making him one of the top midfield anchors in the world.
Soucek’s remarkable performances during that season earned him the prestigious Hammer of the Year award, recognizing him as the best player at West Ham.
Soucek also played for the Czech Republic in Euro 2020, a big tournament. The team did well and made it to the quarter-finals, but they lost to Denmark and were out of the tournament.
In addition to his defensive abilities, Soucek possesses a keen eye for goals, as demonstrated by his two goals in the 2022/2023 Premier League season.
14. N’golo Kante
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: France
- Club: Chelsea
- Market Value: €15.00m
In the 14th position, we have N’golo Kanté, a talented midfielder. He had an amazing year with his team, Chelsea, in the 2020/21 season. They won the highly anticipated Champions League title, and Kanté performed exceptionally well in both the Premier League and continental competitions, achieving impressive statistics.
In more recent news, on June 21, 2023, Kanté agreed to join Al-Ittihad, a club in the Saudi Professional League.
13. Sergio Busquets
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Spain
- Club: Barcelona
- Market Value: €5.00m
Sergio Busquets continues to prove year after year that he still has a lot to offer and can teach valuable lessons to aspiring defensive midfielders. During his time at FC Barcelona, he had an exceptional year.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Busquets served as the captain of the Spanish national team. However, in the round of 16, he missed a penalty during a shootout against Morocco, which resulted in a 3-0 defeat following a goalless draw.
In the continental tournament, Busquets consistently delivered exceptional performances that earned him the Best Player of the Match award on multiple occasions. Even at the age of 34, he proves why he is considered the best defensive midfielder in history.
On June 24, 2023, it was announced that Busquets had signed with Inter Miami.
12. Jorginho
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Italy
- Club: Arsenal
- Market Value: €25.00m
On January 31, 2023, Jorginho completed a move to Arsenal, signing a one-and-a-half-year contract with the option for a further year. The transfer fee for his move was reported to be £12 million.
Jorginho has been enjoying one of his best seasons as a professional, both with Arsenal and the Italian national team. His impact has been remarkable, helping Arsenal reach the semifinals of the Premier League and playing a crucial role in Italy’s triumph in the UEFA Nations League 2022-23.
As a result of his achievements, many people have advocated for Jorginho to be considered for the Ballon d’Or award. However, in the end, Lionel Messi won it.
11. Fabinho
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Brazil
- Club: Liverpool FC
- Market Value: €42.00m
Fabinho has experienced a significant drop in the rankings compared to the previous year, largely due to various factors such as injuries and a positional change. In the previous season, he had an impressive campaign with Liverpool, finishing as the runner-up in the UEFA Champions League, which earned him an 11th-place in our ranking.
However, due to circumstances such as injuries and the need for defensive cover, Fabinho was often deployed as a center-back by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp this season. This positional change and the challenges it presented have affected his performance and led to a drop of four places in the rankings. It would be unfair to judge his performance as a defensive midfielder in the same way as other candidates, considering the role he played in the team’s setup.
Additionally, Fabinho achieved success with Liverpool by winning the FA Community Shield in 2022. Despite the challenges faced, he has been a key player and contributed significantly to Liverpool’s campaign this season.
10. Amadou Onana
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Belgium, Senegal
- Club: Everton FC
- Market Value: €45.00m
Amadou Onana is a highly talented and promising young defensive midfielder who draws comparisons to N’Golo Kanté. He possesses strength, athleticism, and an exceptional work ethic.
Despite being a young player, Onana has already displayed the attributes and skills necessary to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. With continued development and experience, he has a bright future ahead.
9. Sandro Tonali
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Italy
- Club: AC Milan
- Market Value: €50.00m
Sandro Tonali is an excellent defensive midfielder who is highly regarded by many experts as one of the top players in the world. Despite being young and still developing, he has already shown great promise.
This season, Tonali achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the youngest midfielder in Serie A to score five or more goals. Only Bologna’s Aaron Hickey, who is slightly older, achieved this at a younger age.
While Sandro Tonali has the potential to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, he still has areas to improve.
8. Bruno Guimarães
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Brazil, Spain
- Club: Newcastle United
- Market Value: €70.00m
Bruno Guimarães is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world today. He possesses a diverse skill set that encompasses both defensive and offensive abilities.
Guimarães excels in tackling opponents, possesses excellent game reading skills, and has an impressive range of passing. Additionally, he showcases remarkable mobility and energy, enabling him to cover a significant amount of ground on the field.
Guimarães has garnered praise from numerous football pundits for his remarkable performances in the Premier League. Many have described him as a “complete midfielder” and even consider him a potential future winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
7. Joshua Kimmich
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Germany
- Club: Bayern Munich
- Market Value: €75.00m
Joshua Kimmich, who previously held the top position in our ranking, experienced a significant decline in performance this season. He had an inconsistent season with Bayern Munich, and the team struggled to make an impact in major events.
While Kimmich had a decent year statistically, his overall performance did not reach the exceptional level we had come to expect from him, especially in the Bundesliga.
6. Moisés Caicedo
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Ecuador
- Club: Brighton & Hove Albion
- Market Value: €75.00m
Moisés Caicedo is a young defensive midfielder who is gaining a lot of attention in the Premier League. Despite being only 21 years old, he has already shown great potential to become one of the best in his position worldwide.
On June 1, he was voted as the second-best player of the season by BBC Sport users, with Alexis Mac Allister taking the top spot.
Caicedo is a versatile midfielder with many skills. He is strong in tackling opponents, has good instincts for reading the game, and can make accurate passes over various distances. Additionally, he has great energy and speed, which allows him to cover a large area of the field.
5. Frenkie de Jong
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Club: Barcelona
- Market Value: €75.00m
Frenkie de Jong has an outstanding season as a Barcelona player in the 2022/2023 season. He has been a key player for Ronald Koeman and has shown great versatility in various positions. We believe he deserves the fifth position in our ranking of defensive midfielders.
He has demonstrated his defensive skills as well as his creativity and versatility by playing as a central defender, a pure midfielder, and even as an attacker. We have decided to acknowledge and appreciate his adaptability and versatility by including him in our ranking.
4. Enzo Fernández
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Argentina
- Club: Chelsea FC
- Market Value: €80.00m
Enzo Fernández is considered to be one of the best young defensive midfielders in the world. He can play in different positions, either as a single defensive midfielder or as part of a pair. He excels in defense, as he is skilled at anticipating the game and intercepting passes. Moreover, he is also good at carrying the ball forward and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Fernández represented Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he played a crucial role in helping his team secure their third championship title. He also received the tournament’s Young Player Award, recognizing his outstanding performance as a young talent.
3. Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: France, Cameroon
- Club: Real Madrid
- Market Value: €85.00m
Aurélien Tchouaméni is highly regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders worldwide. He is known for his physical presence, impressive athleticism, and endurance. Tchouaméni excels in winning the ball, often through interceptions and tackles. Additionally, he possesses good passing abilities and can initiate plays from the defensive position.
Tchouaméni’s strengths lie in his exceptional ball-winning skills, as he adeptly reads the game and anticipates the ball’s trajectory. Despite his opponents’ size, he remains strong and athletic, allowing him to succeed in winning tackles. Moreover, he showcases solid passing abilities, enabling him to initiate plays from the defensive position.
2. Declan Rice
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: England, Ireland
- Club: West Ham United
- Market Value: €90.00m
Declan Rice has emerged as one of the most promising defensive midfielders worldwide. With clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea expressing interest in him, he has made a significant impact at West Ham. Rice has also been a regular player for the English national team, performing exceptionally well in the UEFA Europa Conference League 2022-23, where he helped West Ham win the tournament.
Considering his young age and immense potential, Rice secured the second position in our ranking of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
1. Rodri
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Nationality: Spain
- Club: Manchester City
- Market Value: €90.00m
The 2022/2023 season was a clear indication of Rodri’s outstanding performance and potential. The Spanish midfielder played a crucial role for Manchester City, who dominated the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. This is why he is considered the best defensive midfielder in the world.
Rodri represents Spain at the international level and has been a part of the national team since 2018. He participated in UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also helped Spain win the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, where he was recognized as the best player of the finals tournament.
On June 10th, Rodri scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, securing Manchester City’s first-ever European Cup victory and completing a treble of continental trophies. He was named the man of the match and received the Player of the Season award for the tournament. Additionally, he won the Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester City.
While his performance in the EURO tournament was inconsistent, with him being replaced by Busquets when he returned to the team, it was the only downside in an otherwise fantastic season.
