When it comes to ranking the best playmakers in world football right now, Kevin De Bruyne, Lionel Messi, and Luka Modrić have long cemented their positions on the list. So who are the new superheroes competing for the top spot?
Playmakers in football are crucial with their ability to craft chances and generate goal-scoring opportunities, putting them on the map of indispensable players in any team.
Controlling the flow in both offensive and defensive, delivering precise passes, tactical intelligence, ball control, and creativity are not easily achievable attributes, but a quality player in this position comes close to or even matches these attributes.
Here is the list of the best playmakers in world football right now:
20. James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur, England)
James Maddison has been an impressive playmaker, especially during his time at Leicester City and in the early days of his Tottenham Hotspur career. The English footballer has always got the fans talking about his performance on the pitch.
He is applauded for his well-timed and precise passes. His qualities were crucial for Tottenham Hotspur as they went on to win the UEFA Europa League in the 2024/25 season.
19. Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan, Turkey)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu has continued to hold his position among the best playmakers in world football. The Turkish star is known for his set pieces, which have proven vital for his team.
The Turkish international may not be the all-in-one playmaker, but his success rate on the set piece ranks him at the top. Apart from that, he is also good when deployed in the deep midfield positions and has operated as a deep-lying playmaker.
18. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal)
Bernardo Silva's skills have been undoubtedly top-notch. The Portuguese star has been at the heart of Pep Guardiola's team. His versatility in the attack position makes him a key player for the team.
Bernardo Silva has been applauded for his technicality, passing, intelligence, and ball control. He is also an impressive player when it comes to holding possession for much longer.
17. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid CF, England)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best wingbacks around. One good aspect that made him stand out had been his ability to dictate the game, one of the reasons Real Madrid had him as a key transfer target.
The England international makes it easier for the team with his ability to link up well with the attackers, making important runs and pulling crosses into the opposition box as well as set pieces.
These attributes put it on the map. However, at Real Madrid, he is gradually getting to his best form.
16. Luka Modrić (AC Milan, Croatia)
Luka Modric spent over ten years at Real Madrid, winning some of Europe’s elite trophies, including the Champions League five times.
The Croatian is considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He is currently in the books of Italian side AC Milan and has already integrated into the first team and forms a core part of the team.
15. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC, Egypt)
Mohamed Salah is one of the elite players in world football. The Egyptian is known for his consistency. He is also a proven goal scorer and assist maker.
Salah had enjoyed an average rating over the course of his career. His versatility is a weapon, allowing his deployment on the right wing and in multiple positions in the attack.
He has been a key goal contributor since his arrival at Liverpool FC. His individual brilliance was crucial in the club's Premier League and Champions League triumph.
14. Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona, Spain)
Lamine Yamal is one of the new-generation footballers. A product of the La Masia academy, the young Spanish footballer has eliminated the need for a winger and a playmaker for years to come.
He is often considered to be the face of FC Barcelona. The youngster has proven to be a valuable asset for the club with his rise through the club's youth system.
Lamine Yamal primarily plays as a right winger. Key attributes that make him stand out include chance creation and long-distance curling goals.
13. Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona, Spain)
This could be a surprise addition, but Dani Olmo has been an important asset for Barcelona. His journey to the first team took a different form. Being a product of La Masia, he moved to Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig before returning to the club following a €60 million deal.
Dani Olmo operates as an attacking midfielder or a left midfielder. His intelligence on the ball and movement makes him stand out.
Dani Olmo was instrumental as Barcelona won the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España in the 2024/25 season.
12. Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid, France)
Antoine Griezmann is the next big player on the list. The Frenchman has been a loyalist for Atlético Madrid over the years. Key attributes, including match intelligence, attacking output and goal scoring, rank him among the greatest players of his generation.
At Atlético Madrid, Griezmann's versatility has been crucial with his deployment in various positions, including as a centre forward, winger and goal scorer.
11. Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen, Spain)
Alex Grimaldo shot himself into the limelight with his work rate during Bayer Leverkusen's dominance of German football. The Spaniard was top-notch with his set pieces and long-range goals. His performance earned him a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season for the 2023–24 season.
Grimaldo was central to Bayer Leverkusen's domestic double in the 2023/24 season with his position at left back. He has been shown to be a defender capable of scoring and providing assists.
10. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
The Inter Miami quest for an MLS Cup title finally became a reality with a significant effort from Lionel Messi. The Argentine was central to the team's journey through the season from regular to the playoffs.
Statistics show that Messi scored 29 goals to win the 2025 MLS Golden Boot.
Lionel Messi ranks as one of the greatest footballers in history. The 8-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently making waves in the USA.
9. Phil Foden (Manchester City, England)
Phil Foden has been a household name in world football with his top-notch form over the last couple of seasons. The England international broke into the limelight after earning the opportunity as an academy graduate.
At Manchester City, he has played advanced positions that rotate around the attacking midfield positions. Today, he is a proven goal scorer as well as an assist maker.
He has been a valuable asset for Manchester City, having played a key role in the club's continental treble campaign in the 2022–23 season.
8. Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Paris Saint-Germain's asset and midfield sensation, Joao Neves, has established himself as a complete option in both attack and defensive midfield positions. He has been one of the engine rooms in the team.
Joao Neves is versatile, which makes it easier to play in multiple positions, from central midfield, defensive midfield and right-back. He adds depth to the PSG team and is a proven goal contributor.
7. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
Kevin De Bruyne continues to hold his position when it comes to ranking the best playmakers in world football.
The former Manchester City player is known for his incisive passes, accurate set pieces and shots from a distance. He'd accomplished a lot throughout his career.
Kevin De Bruyne is currently in the books of Napoli in the Italian Serie A, where he's already played some important games.
6. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool FC, Germany)
Florian Wirtz’s playmaking abilities were evident in the 2023–24 season when his contributions helped Bayer Leverkusen dominate German football, winning the Bundesliga and German Cup.
He is known for his ability to distribute key passes with precision and makes important dribbles per game.
Although he's not had a brilliant start to life in the Premier League, he is gradually getting to his top form.
5. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal FC, Norway)
Martin Odegaard has established himself as a playmaker. The Arsenal captain has been a key player since his arrival at the club. He often operates from the right side of the midfield. His play amid pressure, agility, and control makes him stand out and comparable to some of the greatest in his position.
Ødegaard is also a creative player, a proper number 8, known for his dribbling vision and range of passing. His style of play has enhanced Arsenal’s counter-attacking capabilities.
4. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
Bruno Fernandes is at the top level of his career. The Portuguese star was an immediate impact at Manchester United following his arrival from Sporting CP.
Today, he stands tall when it comes to ranking the best playmakers in world football.
Bruno Fernandes has been applauded for his unique attributes, which include passing range, vision and awareness. He has frequently averaged the most key passes per game.
3. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Jamal Musiala is one of the top-level footballers around. His role at FC Bayern Munich has been impressive, as he forms a core part of the team's midfield, especially in the offensive position.
Musiala is a world-class player known for his dribbling and goal-scoring prowess.
He successfully broke into the Bayern Munich first team and has successfully maintained his position ever since, evolving to become one of the world's elite players.
2. Cole Palmer (Chelsea FC, England)
Cole Palmer is beyond doubt an elite player. It was an improvement achievement, as his contributions helped Chelsea lift the 2025 Club World Cup. The Manchester City academy graduate has already set up a different level of the game with his versatility.
Cole Palmer has been a proven goal scorer and has been impressive over the last couple of seasons.
1. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
Jude Bellingham’s rise in the world of football has been nothing short of remarkable. The young midfielder moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, becoming the second most expensive contract in the club’s history at 103 million euros.
What sets Bellingham apart is not just its outstanding performance but also its adaptability. Bellingham is one of the main goalscorers, scoring game-winning goals for the team.