The attacking midfielder role has changed a lot over the last decade. Once seen mainly as a luxury position, it’s now one of the most demanding and closely examined roles in world football.
- 1. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid’s Complete Game Controller
- 2. Bruno Fernandes – The Relentless Engine of Manchester United
- 3. Pedri – Barcelona’s Calm Metronome
- 4. Cole Palmer – Chelsea’s Spark of Hope
- 5. Jamal Musiala – Bayern’s Unstoppable Dribbler
- 6. Dani Olmo – Barcelona’s Tactical Craftsman
- 7. Eberechi Eze – Arsenal’s Dribbling Dynamo
- 8. Martin Ødegaard – The Brain of Arsenal
- 9. Oihan Sancet – The Silent Destroyer of La Liga
- 10. Florian Wirtz – Liverpool’s Visionary Maestro
Softfootball understands that these players are expected to create, score, press, dictate play, and sometimes even drag an entire team forward on tough nights.
In 2025, the football world is blessed with a fresh generation of No. 10s and hybrid creators who mix technique, work rate, and sharp tactical brains.
After a long look through the 2024/25 season, stats, influence, clutch moments, all of it, here’s a refined list of the top 10 attacking midfielders in the world right now.
1. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid’s Complete Game Controller
Jude Bellingham has solidified his status as the world’s premier midfielder in 2025. Despite missing some time due to injury, his impact for Real Madrid has been profound.
Bellingham’s influence extends beyond the scoresheet; his leadership, tactical intelligence, and relentless work rate from midfield have been instrumental in Real Madrid’s domestic and European campaigns, making him the complete modern game-changer.
2. Bruno Fernandes – The Relentless Engine of Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has undergone a significant tactical transformation in 2025 under manager Ruben Amorim. While his traditional role as a free-scoring no. 10 has evolved, his influence remains central to Manchester United’s play.
Amorim has deployed the 31-year-old captain in a deeper, more disciplined midfield role within a 3-4-3 formation, prioritising control and vertical progression. This shift has reduced his attacking output, recording 2 goals and 1 assist in 12 appearances for the 2025/26 season, but has dramatically increased his control of the game.
3. Pedri – Barcelona’s Calm Metronome
Pedri is widely regarded as one of the most complete midfielders in the world. His role at Barcelona is that of a metronome, controlling the tempo of the game with his exceptional passing and vision. He ranks second in the world’s best midfielders list, praised for his creativity and influence in both attack and defence.
His pass accuracy of 91.9% and ability to dictate play make him the foundation of Barcelona’s midfield. While his goal and assist numbers may not be as high as others on this list, his overall impact on the game is profound.
He is a key figure in the club’s future, and his absence was sorely missed in the Champions League encounter against Chelsea as they suffered an historic defeat at the hands of the Blues.
4. Cole Palmer – Chelsea’s Spark of Hope
Cole Palmer has ascended to global superstardom after leading Chelsea to victory in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament and won the Golden Ball.
In the final against Paris Saint-Germain, he delivered a match-winning performance, scoring two goals and providing an assist in a 3-0 rout, earning a 9.5 rating.
His leadership and creativity were instrumental, particularly after taking the iconic No. 10 shirt. With this triumph, Palmer has cemented his status as one of the world’s elite attacking midfielders.
5. Jamal Musiala – Bayern’s Unstoppable Dribbler
Jamal Musiala’s combination of flair, efficiency, and technical wizardry makes him one of the most exciting talents in Europe. Despite missing some games, his 12 goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances highlight his lethal touch in the final third.
He averages 2.7 shots per game with a superb 62.75% shot accuracy and is a constant threat with his 3 dribbles per match at a 55% success rate. His ability to glide through defences like “an eel” has the Allianz Arena on its feet. Musiala is not just a dribbler; he is a key creator with 1.6 key passes per game.
His performances have placed him in the 97th percentile for goals per 90 minutes among Bundesliga midfielders, and his potential to dominate the game is limitless.
6. Dani Olmo – Barcelona’s Tactical Craftsman
Dani Olmo has had the best season of his career since joining Barcelona. The 27-year-old has recorded 12 goals and 6 assists across all competitions, a remarkable output for a midfielder in his first season in La Liga.
Olmo’s strength lies in his footballing intelligence and his ability to find space to convert half-chances. Whether deployed in midfield or a more advanced role, he has proven to be a constant threat in a talent-laden Barcelona side.
His performances have shown that he can thrive at the highest level, and his versatility and work rate have made him a key piece of Hansi Flick’s puzzle.
7. Eberechi Eze – Arsenal’s Dribbling Dynamo
Eberechi Eze has seamlessly transitioned from Crystal Palace to Arsenal, where he has become a pivotal figure in Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side.
Since his £67.5 million move in August 2025, Eze has electrified the Emirates, most notably with a historic hat-trick in a 4-1 north London derby victory over Tottenham, the first in 50 years.
This performance silenced doubters and forced pundits like Jamie Carragher to publicly apologise for underestimating his impact. Eze has already registered 5 goals and 4 assists in 19 appearances across all competitions, showcasing his flair, close control, and ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Arsenal uploaded videos of his performance via their official X account.
Watch the video below:
Wearing the No. 10 shirt, he has added an “aura” to Arsenal’s play, combining his elite dribbling with intelligent movement and a newfound ruthlessness in front of goal.
8. Martin Ødegaard – The Brain of Arsenal
Martin Ødegaard remains the tactical heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. While his headline stats of 8 assists and 3 goals in 30 Premier League games may not lead the league, his influence is immeasurable.
He is the connective tissue between Arsenal’s midfield and attack, dictating play with intelligence and vision. His expected assists (xA) of 5.4 and consistent key pass output reaffirm his status as one of Europe’s most intelligent creators.
Ødegaard has made the “scoop pass” a key part of his arsenal, a piece of skill that, while sometimes frustrating, demonstrates his desire to break down low blocks with precision. His movement, control, and reliability in high-pressure moments are integral to Arsenal’s fluid style and title contention.
9. Oihan Sancet – The Silent Destroyer of La Liga
Oihan Sancet has had a career-best season for Athletic Bilbao, scoring an impressive 17 goals across all competitions. His performances were crucial in helping the Basque club secure a 4th-place finish in La Liga.
Sancet has outperformed his expected goals (xG) of 9.73, making him one of the most important players in the team. His ability to be both a creator and a finisher has made him one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in Spain.
His rise has been one of the standout stories of the 2024/25 season, and he is now firmly established as a key figure in La Liga.
10. Florian Wirtz – Liverpool’s Visionary Maestro
With 38 goal contributions last season and a blockbuster move to Liverpool, Wirtz has become one the most exciting No.10 of his generation. Although his Premier League start has been a bit mixed, his Champions League assists and sky-high market value show how special he is. His vision, tight-space control, and calmness under pressure make him a once-in-a-generation creator.
