The role of a central midfielder in football has changed massively over the years. It is no longer enough to simply pass the ball and keep possession moving. The best midfielders today are expected to defend, create chances, control the pace of matches, and sometimes even decide games on their own. The 2025/26 season has produced some outstanding performances in the middle of the pitch, and according to Score90, these are the five midfielders setting the standard right now.
Who are the best central midfielders in football right now?
Declan Rice – Arsenal
Declan Rice takes the top spot after an incredible season with Arsenal. Over the last few years, he has gone from being viewed mainly as a defensive midfielder to becoming one of the most complete players in world football.
Rice gives Arsenal everything in midfield. He protects the defence, wins second balls, drives forward in transition, and has also developed a habit of stepping up in big moments. During Arsenal’s title-winning campaign, he became the player that held the entire side together.
One of the biggest reasons Rice has improved so much is his confidence in playing football. Earlier in his career, people questioned whether he could dictate games at the highest level, but this season he looked completely comfortable controlling matches against elite opposition.
Top 5 Central Midfielders 2025/26 – According to Score 90 ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/usMr0FsF1Y
— Score 90 (@Score90_) May 19, 2026
His leadership has also become impossible to ignore. Even when games became tense, Rice constantly looked composed and helped Arsenal stay focused during the pressure of the title race.
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Pedri – Barcelona
Coming in second is Pedri from FC Barcelona, a football midfielder who makes football look effortless when he is at his best. While many midfielders rely on physicality, Pedri controls games through intelligence, movement, and technical quality.
There are very few players who understand space the way Pedri does. He always seems available for the next pass, and once he receives the ball, he rarely wastes it. Barcelona’s midfield instantly looks smoother whenever he is playing regularly.
Injuries disrupted parts of his development over the last couple of seasons, but this year has been a reminder of just how talented he really is. He has once again become the creative heartbeat of Barcelona’s midfield.
What separates Pedri from many young midfielders is his maturity. Despite his age, he plays with the calmness of someone who has already spent a decade at the top level.
João Neves – Paris Saint-Germain
Third on the list is João Neves, who has rapidly become one of the most exciting young midfielders in Europe at Paris Saint-Germain. Every season seems to bring another breakout Portuguese midfielder, and Neves looks ready to follow that tradition.
What stands out immediately about Neves is his energy. He presses relentlessly, covers huge areas of the pitch, and constantly disrupts opposition attacks. But there is much more to his game than work rate alone.
Technically, he is extremely clean under pressure and always looks comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces. For such a young player, his understanding of the game is already at an elite level.
This season, he has shown that he can handle the pressure of playing for a club expected to compete for every major trophy, and his performances in Europe have only increased his reputation.
Federico Valverde – Real Madrid
Federico Valverde takes fourth place, continuing his rise as one of Real Madrid’s most important players. He may not always grab headlines in the same way as attacking stars, but his influence on games is massive.
Few midfielders in football can match Valverde physically. His stamina, pace, and intensity allow him to impact every area of the pitch, whether he is helping defensively or charging forward on the counterattack.
Another reason managers love him is versatility. Valverde can play deeper in midfield, operate box-to-box, or even move into wider areas when needed. No matter the role, he consistently delivers high-level performances.
He also has a knack for scoring important goals, especially from distance, which makes him even more dangerous in big matches.
Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Completing the top five is Dominik Szoboszlai, who has become a huge part of Liverpool’s midfield rebuild. Since arriving at the club, he has added energy, creativity, and intensity to the side.
Szoboszlai fits Liverpool perfectly because of how hard he works without the ball. He presses aggressively, tracks back constantly, and helps maintain the fast tempo that Liverpool thrive on.
At the same time, he brings real quality in possession. Whether it is through long-range shots, key passes, or dangerous deliveries from set pieces, Szoboszlai always looks capable of creating something in football.
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