7. Joshua KIMMICH , Bayern Munich/Germany, 30What makes him special: Whether in midfield or at fullback, creating extra attack or tempo-setting pivot play, Kimmich provides what the moment requires.
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders):
One key stat: Led Bundesliga with 119.2 touches and 96.5 passes completed per game.
Why he’s on the list: The emotional heart of the Bayern lineup since his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2015, Kimmich has produced between seven and 15 combined goals and assists, plus at least 200 defensive interventions, for nine straight seasons. He’s safe in buildup play, can step in defensively when he has to, and has the talent to knock in a long-range goal when the moment calls for it.
Different Bayern managers have envisioned different optimal roles for the 30-year-old, and at the moment he’s both Vincent Kompany’s starting central midfielder (for Bayern) and Julian Nagelsmann’s starting right back (for Germany). If he’s in the lineup, you probably aren’t losing: Since the start of August, he has played in 58 matches and lost just seven of them.
What he says: “At FC Bayern, I have the best environment to achieve my sporting goals … I feel at home here and I am not finished yet.”
What they say: “Mentality and identity — that is what Joshua Kimmich represents. He has internalized the DNA of FC Bayern over the years and embodies it both on and off the field. Where others stop, he starts.” — Bayern sporting director Max Eberl
What’s next: After he struggled to see eye-to-eye with former Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel and contract negotiations stalled for a bit, it appeared that Kimmich might be looking toward a new chapter outside of Munich. Instead, he extended his contract to 2029. He should remain the fulcrum, and heart, of the Bayern lineup for the foreseeable future. His third World Cup is on the horizon, too. — Bill Connelly
What makes him special: A dynamic, natural midfield leader with a warrior mentality and charisma to burn.
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders):
One key stat: Led Inter with 254 defensive interventions and 165 recoveries in Serie A .
Why he’s on the list: A standout from an early age, Barella became the youngest player to captain Cagliari before his 21st birthday. He never stops running, but also has a flair for the spectacular, whether it’s back heels, dribbles or long-distance strikes. It’s an unusual mix for a player who is, fundamentally, a central midfielder (a classic No. 8). He was unfazed by his big-money move to Inter, coolly establishing himself as a fixture in their midfield, and the Italian national team is pretty much built around him. His mental toughness and intensity have long made him both a fan favorite and a player who is admired and respected by opponents.
What he says: “What makes me proud? Not so much praise and love from teammates and fans, because that’s easier to get — they want to support you. Rather, when I feel the respect and the credit from an opponent, not necessarily in words, but in the way they play and act toward me. That’s not something you can fake.”
What they say: “He’s like N’Golo Kanté , and that’s the best praise I can give him. He covers every blade of grass, he does the running for others and he’s physically strong. Both of them are a huge help to me in midfield.” — midfielder and Italy teammate Jorginho
What’s next: Barella is locked into a long-term deal at Inter that runs through 2029, when he’ll be 32. It’s highly likely he’ll end up as a club legend, and he’ll perhaps go back to his native Sardinia and Cagliari after that. — Gab Marcotti
5. VITINHA , Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal, 25 What makes him special: His ball composure, press resistance, technical ability and intelligence set him apart.
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders):
One key stat: Finished second among Ligue 1 midfielders with 592 progressive actions.
Why he’s on the list: Imagine a player who finished a Champions League semifinal with 100% passing accuracy against one of the best teams in Europe. Not a single misplaced pass for 90-plus minutes. Imagine a player who went to Anfield to face the best team in Europe at the time, and thrived in front of the Kop and against the Liverpool press, bossing the midfield and the game to help his team qualify against all odds. That player is Vitinha.
At 25, he’s become one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe since manager Luis Enrique moved him from his favored No. 8 position to a holding role, where he can control the tempo of the game and build play from deep — oh, and good luck trying to get the ball off him. Despite being small, he is elusive with the ball at his feet thanks to his composure, calmness and close control. He also has one of the highest football IQs in Europe; his vision and understanding of the game make him the kind of deep-lying playmaker we don’t see much anymore.
What he says: “I think I’m comfortable playing in all midfield positions. Whether it’s deeper or higher up or box-to-box. I feel comfortable there, in a holding role. I feel good in that position, which shows on the pitch. I like building up the game, starting from a deeper position and working my way up the pitch.”
What they say: “Vitinha is now the maestro of European football. He’s holding the wand. He is one of the best midfielders in the world, without a doubt.” — Portugal coach Roberto Martínez
What’s next: More of the same? Expect Vitinha’s progress over the past 18 months to continue, as PSG have signed him to a long-term contract. He has learned a lot this season, especially from moments when he has been less influential. But as he gets more experience and more confidence, he will be even harder to stop. — Julien Laurens
What makes him special: He is the heartbeat of Liverpool’s midfield and a two-way player who has transformed the Reds into title winners.
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders):
One key stat: Recorded 346 duels in Premier League this season, second most among defensive midfielders.
Why he’s on the list: If there’s one word that best sums up Mac Allister, it’s consistent. The Argentina international was close to a constant presence in the Liverpool midfield this season and very rarely delivered an underpar performance. He has everything you want from a midfielder — tenacity in the tackle, but with the quality and guile to unpick a packed defense. He also has an eye for spectacular goals and with a Premier League title to go with his 2022 World Cup trophy, he has the relentless mindset of a proven winner.
What he says: “Every time I feel fit then the manager knows that I will be there to help the team. That’s the only thing I want: to play, to feel important, to try to help the team.”
What they say: “He is one of the few players in the world that combines this great game intelligence, great on the ball, but [with] a tenacity without the ball. In our midfield, he stands out in terms of tenacity.” — Liverpool manager Arne Slot
What’s next: At 26, Mac Allister has a trophy cabinet that would make most veteran footballers envious. He’s entering his peak years and will be eager to add some more silverware, including the UEFA Champions League , to his collection. — Beth Lindop
What makes him special: Never stops running … unless it’s to score another golazo .
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders):
Key stats: Scored five goals from outside the penalty area in LaLiga, tied for the most this season with Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, while finishing second in LaLiga with 55 interceptions.
Why he’s on the list: Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid until the end of 2024-25, said Valverde was the world’s third-best right back … which isn’t bad for a midfielder. This season, it often felt like Valverde was the only thing holding this Real Madrid team together, covering impossible distances as a one-man link between the side’s “fantastic four” in attack — Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior , Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo — and the rest. And if that wasn’t enough, he was called upon to fill-in at right back, in high-pressure Champions League knockout ties against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Naturally, he excelled and at 26, there’s still plenty more to come. He has been anointed as one of Madrid’s captains, and nobody doubts that he’ll be the team’s undisputed leader before too long.
What he says: “As a captain you’re looked at differently. It’s a huge source of pride.”
What they say: “He’s the most complete player in football right now. He can cover every possible position. He could even play as a center back.” — Ancelotti
What’s next: It will be fascinating to watch Valverde’s evolution once he starts receiving coaching from one of this century’s great midfielders — and new Madrid manager — Xabi Alonso. Valverde can make a case for being Madrid’s most important player; all that’s missing is for the rest of the world to realize that. — Alex Kirkland
2. Declan RICE , Arsenal/England, 26 What makes him special: An all-action, £105 million midfielder the Arsenal fans think the club signed for “half price,” the passion and dynamism he provides has been the missing ingredient in the Gunners’ midfield.
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders):
Key stats: He is the only player with multiple direct free-kick goals in the Champions League this season. He also led the Premier League with 2.5 expected assists (xA) from corners and free kicks.
Why he’s on the list: While everyone fell around him this season, Declan Rice stood even taller. The Gunners endured an injury-ravaged campaign, but only David Raya and William Saliba played more minutes than Rice, who continues to evolve his game under manager Mikel Arteta. Rice went from center back to holding midfielder at West Ham United , but since joining Arsenal in 2023, the 26-year-old has become a highly effective No. 8 by displaying a hitherto untapped attacking aspect to his game.
His two free kicks in April’s Champions League quarterfinal win over Real Madrid were the first two dead-ball goals of his career and some of the finest execution of the craft anyone could wish to see. He will surely be at the epicenter of Arsenal’s efforts to end their wait for Premier League and Champions League glory.
What he says: [On Arsenal teammates calling him “the horse.”] “It’s positive! [Oleksandr] Zinchenko started it and then Jorginho went with it. Now everyone starts calling me it. I think it’s because they think I can run all day, that I’m athletic, my ability to go again, my sustainability and availability to the team. Even two days since the last game, I’m running around in training and they’re thinking I’m a mad man. I don’t mind the nickname but I just have to keep it going.”
What they say: “If I had to describe him with a picture it would be a lighthouse; this is how I see him. When I was envisioning the squad, how can I explain him? How can I see him in the team? His pressing, he’s overlooking everything, he’s bringing light and clarity and guidance for everybody.” — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
What’s next: Arteta wants more goals from Rice as he seeks further improvement from the England international. After losing successive European Championship finals, Rice will hope to go one better with his country at the World Cup. — James Olley
1. PEDRI , Barcelona/Spain, 22 What makes him special: Pedri blends the qualities of his two childhood heroes, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta, as the leader of Barça’s midfield.
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders):
Key stats: Had the most recoveries (254) among players in the top five European leagues, while tying for third in LaLiga with 70 chances created.
Why he’s on the list: Pedri has just wrapped the best season of his career. Injuries halted the 22-year-old’s progress after an outstanding breakout campaign in 2020-21, but Barça coach Hansi Flick and his fitness team kept him in impeccable shape this year. Pedri played a key role as Barça won a domestic treble (LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España).
With the ball, he’s one of the best chance creators in Spain. Without it, he’s among the best at winning it back. He can pass, dictate play and slip away from opponents when it looks like there is nowhere to go. At 5-foot-8, he’s quick and strong and, for some, Barça’s best player this season. Pedri is an elite creative midfielder who should continue to get better.
What he says: “It’s always been a dream of mine to lift the Ballon d’Or. Since Rodri won it, it’ has shown that a player who runs the midfield and dictates the tempo and the rhythm of the game can win a Ballon d’Or.”
What they say: “Pedri is more important than Lamine Yamal and Raphinha . He has the ability to dribble past players when there is no space. A player like Pedri helps you in every area of the game.” — former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos
What’s next: Pedri’s aims with his club and country over the next 12 months could not be clearer. The target is to help Barça, with whom he recently penned a new contract until 2030, win a first Champions League crown since 2015, and take European champions Spain to victory at next summer’s World Cup. On an individual level, there is room for him to improve in the final third. His nine goal contributions in LaLiga could be improved, although his teammates haven’t always helped; he has just five assists from 65 chances created and an xA (expected assists) of 8.59. — Sam Marsden
The 2024-25 FC 100, position by position Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Center forwards
