Who are the best attacking midfielders in the World? These question have always been asked by many people who love football and they have been a lot of debate and arguments concerning this matter. Top Attacking Midfielders 2024.
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Attacking Midfielders is simply defined as those players who stray further forward than the traditional box-to-box central Midfield players, but still maintain their defensive duties throughout a full 90 minutes.
Attacking midfielders are mainly players who plays behind the strikers and supports both the midfield and the attack.
An attacking midfielder in football is the maestro of the team, orchestrating scoring opportunities with exceptional vision, skill, and tactical acumen.
They possess the ability to dissect opposing defenses with precise passes and ignite attacking moves with their every touch.
However, with the way football has been modernized, more is now demanded from them.
Today’s attacking midfielders are not only creative and technically gifted but also industrious, combative, and intense, fulfilling defensive responsibilities while maintaining their offensive flair.
Let’s take a look at few outstanding midfielders football has produced in recent years.
5. Jamal Musiala (Bayern and Germany)
Jamal Musiala had played for the three lions (England) at various youth levels, but is German-born and quickly racked up over 20 appearances for Germany at just 21 years of age.
England and Germany fought it out for the right to have this teenage wonderkid represent them on the international level.
Musiala has already established himself as a bona fide Bayern Munich star, scoring the goal that helped his side pip Borussia Dortmund to the title in 2022/23
He can perform multiple roles but excels in an attacking midfield position due to his instincts in and around the box. He is quite an excellent dribbler.
Despite being just 21 years old, Musiala has made a significant impact at Bayern Munich, earning a spot in both the starting XI and Germany’s World cup squad.
His ability to navigate through defenses, physical presence, and tactical awareness showcase his remarkable talent and confident on the field.
4. Bernardo Silva (Man city and Portugal)
It can be said that Bernardo Silva’s versatility and established quality mean he is comfortable playing across midfield and attack for Manchester city.
He has been an incredibly valuable asset to the club since his arrival in 2017. The Portugal international is a brilliantly tidy player who can also provide a bit of cutting-edge when needed.
Bernardo Silva’s versatility makes him a prized asset for Manchester city and Pep Guardiola, as he seamlessly fits into various positions on the field.
Silva is a creative left-footed playmaker who can thrive in multiple attacking and midfield roles.
Often times, he has been deployed as a winger on either side, though he favors the right flank, as well as in central midfield, as a deep-playing playmaker, attacking midfielder, second striker, false nine, and even as a wing-back on occasion.
Bernardo being known for his execptional technique, acceleration, agility, passing, and ball control, Silva excels in driving forward, creating opportunities, and orchestrating attacks.
His defensive work rate is equally very impressive, allowing him to cover ground, press opponents, and initiate counter-attacks.
Despite his role as a creative and attacking midfielder, Silva also has a knack for finding the back of the net himself, adding another dimension to his game.
3. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal and Norway)
Odegaard is now firmly the player that the hype men said he could be after a decade of being pronounced as the next big thing for Real Madrid at 15.
Odegaard’s third season at Arsenal saw Gunners take the title race to the last day, with the Norwegian excelling in his role as captain and figurehead for what Mikel Arteta is looking to achieve with the club.
He can deliver passes all across the midfield and his partnership alongside Declan Rice could define the club for years.
Martin Odegaard is hailed recently as a modern playmaker, known for his delicate touch, skillful technique, and dribbling abilities.
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His vision and passing range, combined with his ability to deliver curved balls from dead balls set pieces, drawn comparisons to Ozil.
Mikel Arteta praises Odegaard’s exceptional footballing intelligence, noting his ability to find spaces on the field and his exceptional work rate.
Odegaard is been described by Arteta as both talented and industrious, highlighting his stamina and relentless effort on the pitch.
During loan spells at Real Sociedad and Arsenal, he proved to be one of the most productive pressers on his team statistically.
With 15 league goals last season, he proved his ability to deliver results consistently.
2. Kevin De Bruyne (Man city and Belgium)
Injury setbacks made De Bruyne’s 2023/24 campaign a disappointing one until after Christmas, but when he made it back to the pitch, it was clear that his influence had not waned.
The Belgium superstar will be 33 very soon and while he remains one of the most talented players in the premier league history, it will be interesting to see how he evolves.
The Manchester City heat man is incredibly difficult to stop even after showing devastating form during the second half of 2022/23 season as they made their way to the treble.
De Bruyne is so good that when you give him too much space he smash the ball straight to the back of the post.
However, in the last five years, De Bruyne has been consistently recognized as top attacking midfielder globally. Due to injuries, he is slipped to second place in this ranking.
De Bruyne’s talent lies in his precise passes, often setting up Manchester City’s forwards for clear goal opportunities. His trademark move, crossing from the inside-right and left positions poses a significant threat to opposing defenses.
Opponents face a dilemma when dealing with De Bruyne’s passes especially close to the goal line, because a little touch from the opponent defenders can cause an own goal.
While he primarily operates as an attacking or central midfielder, De Bruyne is versatile and can excel in various roles, including winger, second striker, even deeper creative midfield positions.
His ability to exploit spaces in the opposition’s defense, coupled with his knack for shooting and creating goal-scoring opportunities, makes him a potent threat, particularly on counter attacks.
1. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
Speculations has been flying around that he is the best player in the world right now. There is even better one that he is living the dream.
The 20-year-old has left England fans rubbing their eyes in disbelief over the past 12 months.
From his cool Real Madrid unveiling last summer to his Champions league victory at Wembley,
He ended the season with 23 Real Madrid goals, which is an astonishing return for a player who was seen as more of a box-to-box midfielder when arrived Spain.
He was quite instrumental during the euros, which they came out in the finals for the second time in a role.
Few could have predicted quite the immediate impact Jude Bellingham would have when he sighed for Real Madrid from Borussia Durtmund.
The England international was already known for his consistency in the Bundesliga but broke out as a bona fide attacking star in his first few months under Carlo Ancelotti. It can be said the he is supremely feeling the void Karim Benzema left behind.
It is really hard to argue against Jude Bellingham being the best player in the world right now, and it seems he is living out a dream at Real Madrid.
His debut months with the club have been nothing short of spectacular: with Last minute goals, standout performances, and his celebration becoming global trend.
Bellingham is known for his superb ball control, physicality, and technical prowess, Bellingham is widely considered one of the top all-round midfielders in the world.
