Ranking the 10 Best Attacking Midfielders in the World

The Attacking midfielders are the key asset to any team in football, connecting midfield and attack, it is widely acclaimed as the most fancy position the football. They are tasked with the creative, number ten, and playmaking duties for their team, and even sometimes control the tempo of the match with their ability. Attacking midfielders not just create chances up top but are very crucial in breaking the attack of the opponent in the initial phase.

Generally, attacking midfielders are expected to be technically brilliant, and must possess excellent vision and game intelligence, along with stunning dribbling and passing prowess to have an edge over their opposition. With that, we are listing the Top 10 best attacking midfielders in the world right from different leagues aroundund the world, like La Liga, Premier League, Bundesliga and others, who are helping their team win matches in pursuit of trophies.

Ranking Factors

Goal Contributions: To rank the top 10 best attacking midfielders in the world, you have to give importance to their goal contributions i.e, Goals + Assists. An attacking midfielder is of no use if they just receive the ball and do back passing most of the time, or something which does not give any benefits to the team, or do some crazy skills and get shouldered by a defender at the end. An attacking midfielder’s contribution is important to help his team win. This is one of the most important positions in football. Goal contribution will help us determine who is good and who is best.

Impact in Big Games: If players are only performing against a comparatively weaker team (with due respect) they are of no use. Now we won’t name those players who only perform against weak teams, because obviously! Impact in big games is a crucial factor in determining whether an attacking midfielder is important for the team or not.

Top 10 Attacking Midfielders in the World

10. Rui Costa

At number 10 of our list of best attacking midfielders in the world, we have Rui Costa’s artist when it comes to playmaking his skills made him a beloved figure, especially at Fiorentina, where he dictated attacks with flair. His 2003 UCL triumph with Milan is still remembered by his fans, though some argue he lacked the major international honors, like various trophies, compared to those of others on this list. His creativity, however, was exceptional. His key passes at Fiorentina in the late 1990s, particularly during their 1996 Coppa Italia win, showcased his vision and passing

Rui Costa’s leadership at Portugal, guiding them to the Euro 2004 final (losing to Greece), added to his legacy, though he never won a major international trophy, which led critics to criticize him. His 101 goals and estimated 140 assists reflect his balance as a creator and scorer, with memorable moments like his long-range strike in Milan’s 2003 UCL quarter-final against Ajax.

9. Kaka

Kaká’s peak at Milan was breathtaking and can not be compared with anyone, combining speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring as an AMF. His 2007 UCL campaign, where he dismantled defenses like Manchester United’s, earned him the Ballon d’Or, which itself tells how good he was as an Attacking midfielder. Injuries at Real Madrid curtailed his career, but his peak years place him among the best attacking midfielders of all time. His successful dribbling rate and long-range runs, like his solo goal against United in 2007, made him a nightmare for defenders.

Kaká’s 2007 season (10 UCL goals, 8 assists) remains one of the greatest by an AMF, leading Milan to the title and earning him FIFA World Player of the Year. His 2002 World Cup win with Brazil, though as a squad player, added to his resume. These records and stats speak for him and he secured rank 9 in our list of Best attacking midfielders in the world. He has scored 191 goals in 614 appearances.

8. Andres Iniesta

Iniesta’s subtle on-field brilliance made him the heartbeat of both Barcelona and Spain during their golden eras. His 2010 World Cup goal and role in Barca’s tiki-taka system under Pep Guardiola are legendary, though his lower goal tally reflects his focus on playmaking and creating chances for other players like Messi, Eto Villa and other strikers who played for Barcelona over finishing. The number of matches played (885) tells us how important the player was for both Spain and Barcelona.

Critics might say he lacked the flair, but his consistency was unmatched. His key passes and 90% pass accuracy were his weapons, especially in the 2011 UCL final against Manchester United, which showcased his ability to handle pressure situations. Iniesta’s partnership with Xavi at Barcelona created one of the most dominant midfields in history, popularly known as the tiki taka football, leading to 4 UCL titles and 9 La Liga titles. His 2010 World Cup winning goal at Johannesburg South Africa, against the Netherlands, a volley in extra time, is now in Spanish football history forever, as are his Euro 2008 and 2012 triumphs.

7. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di María’s creativity on the field and big game performances, like his assist in the 2022 World Cup final for the Argentinian National Team, make him a standout. People often said that whenever Argentina needs a trophy Di Maria comes with crucial contributions Often playing as an Attacking Midfielder or winger, his 276 assists and 194 goals reflect his playmaking and goal-scoring ability. Some argue his inconsistency at club level (e.g., post-Real Madrid) lowers his ranking, but his trophy haul is impressive. His key pass rate and dribbling were very crucial for the team he played for, especially during Real Madrid’s 2014 UCL run, which showed his flair and work rate.

Di María’s all-around performance allowed him to excel in multiple roles, but his time as an AMF at Real Madrid (2010-2014) was his peak in his club career, He displayed a classic show of his skills in a Man of the Match performance in the 2014 UCL final (assist for Bale’s goal). His later years at PSG and with Argentina, winning the 2021 Copa América. His 805 appearances can clearly tell us that how important he is for his teams and national side

6. Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne often plays the role of an attacking midfielder for his club and country. He is among the best attacking midfielders. The Man City player has shown during his time at the English club that he can easily slot into the attacking playmaker position and influence the game for his side by taking the initiative. The Belgian international player often finds himself among the goal contributions, whether scoring or assisting or making a significant impact.

Although De Bruyne has decided to leave his favourite club, Manchester City, at the end of the season. His role was so important for Manchester City that the club has decided to make his statue and place it outside the Etihad Stadium. His contribution to Manchester City can not be compared with other players in the team. His form dipped a little in the 2024/25 season. He has provided 261 assists, which is more than some of the legends in a lesser number of games.

5. Michel Platini

Michel Platini is one of the greatest players of all time, not just as a player who excelled in the footballing world, but as an attacking midfielder. He had played in two leagues and showed his talent there ( Ligue 1 & Serie A). Michel Platini’s role in Juventus changed things for him, he started getting the fame he deserved. The player has 550 appearances in his club career.

Platini’s time at Juventus (1982-1987) saw him lead the club to the 1985 European Cup, scoring the winning penalty in the final against Liverpool, though the match was shadowed by the Heysel tragedy in which Juventus fans were beaten by Liverpool fans. His 297 club career goals are exceptional for an AMF, but his estimated 55 assists reflect the era’s lack of playmaking emphasis for No. 10s. He was often the finisher rather than the creator.

4. Juan Román Riquelme

Riquelme’s genius lay in his ability to control games with his pinpoint passing on the pitch, often setting up teammates with almost 100% accuracy while passing the ball. His success at Boca contrasts with his struggles in Europe, where his slower style didn’t always fit, and much pace was demanded by the managers. Still, his influence as a pure No. 10 makes him a legend of this position. His key passes at Boca in the early 2000s, especially during their 2007 Copa Libertadores win, showcased his ability to dictate play with vision and composure.

Riquelme’s legacy is also tied to his loyalty to Brazilian club Boca Juniors, where he returned to win multiple titles, including leading them to the 2000 Copa Libertadores final with a man of the match performance against Palmeiras. In his club career, he has scored 132 goals and provided 133 assists.

3. Lionel Messi

Messi’s inclusion as an AMF stems from his playmaking role, especially under Pep Guardiola, where he dropped deep to create while still scoring prolifically. His 752 goals and 360 assists are staggering, and his 2022 World Cup triumph silenced critics. Some argue he’s more of a forward, but his AMF contributions are unparalleled. He is more lethal at the left, but he did absolutely great playing as an attacking midfielder. He is among the top 3 best attacking midfielders in the world.

His “false 9” role in the 2009-2012 Tiki Taka era under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, where he orchestrated attacks (Example – 91 goals, 37 assists in 2012 alone), redefined the position. Messi’s later years, particularly at PSG and Inter Miami, saw him shift to a deeper AMF role which give him a more free role on the field to create passes and find players in attack, as seen in his 2022 World Cup performance (7 goals, 3 assists, including a final assist for Di María).

2. Diego Maradona

As we all know, Maradona’s flair and creativity were unmatched by any player on the pitch, often single-handedly carrying club teams and the national side to glory. His 1986 World Cup performance remains legendary, and his impact at Napoli, turning a mid-tier club into champions, shows his influence on the team. Critics might point to his off-field issues, but his on-pitch brilliance as an AMF is undeniable. He, in a true sense, is a legend of the game.

His “Goal of the Century” against England in 1986, dribbling past five defenders, is enough to prove his dribbling brilliance as a No. 10, mixing dribbling, vision, and finishing (2.8 successful dribbles per 90 at peak) clearly tells that Maradona loved to take on defenders and midfielders and dribbe past them. Maradona’s time at Napoli also highlighted his leadership, as he inspired the club to two Serie A titles (1987, 1990) in an era dominated by giants like AC Milan and Juventus.

1. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane’s technical mastery, highlighted by his famous signature “roulette” move, made him a joy to watch on the football field. His ability to dictate the temperament of games and deliver in clutch moments, like his two headers in the 1998 World Cup final, set him apart from his footballing mates. He was a man of big games, always there for his teams. While his goal tally is not as high as others, his playmaking and leadership in winning major titles for club and country make him the greatest AMF of all time as well as on our list too. He scored 125 goals and provided 142 assists in hs club career.

His footwork on the ball while dribbling it, combined with his vision, which can sense goals, allowed him to control games single-handedly, as seen in his 2000 Euro final assist for David Trezeguet’s golden goal. Zidane’s legacy as an AMF is also defined by his ability to elevate his teammates; players like Ronaldo and Figo at Real Madrid thrived with his service. His 2006 World Cup run, where he dragged France to the final at 34 (scoring a Panenka penalty in the final before his infamous headbutt), showed his enduring quality. He stands tall at the Number 1 rank in our list of best attacking midfielders in the world.

List of 10 Best Attacking Midfielders in the World Right Now