The 10 greatest attacking midfielders of all time

Attacking midfielders are probably the greatest entertainers in the beautiful game. Capable of cutting open defences with one key pass or scoring spectacular goals, these players are usually counted among the best players in the world.

Some amazing names of world football have all made the number ‘10’ position their own. To pick the top 10 players out of so many legends was no easy task, but we attempt to rank the 10 greatest attacking midfielders of all time.

Sit back and enjoy reading about some of the greatest players of all time:

#10 Michel Platini

In the history of the European Championships, there isn’t a single player that made an impact quite like Platini did in 1984. As captain and the leading light in midfield, he forged an unconquerable partnership that would famously be nicknamed the ‘Magic Square’ alongside Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana and Luiz Fernandez.

Of the 14 goals that the French scored, Platini contributed an incredible 9, a record that stands to this day, including two perfect hat-tricks featuring goals off either foot and a header. Platini lifted the trophy in Paris, beating Spain in the final, producing the ultimate climax in front of the country’s own supporters.

Platini also enjoyed great success with Juventus where he won a European Cup and two Serie A titles in his career. Zidane considered Platini to be his idol, the legendary Frenchman said:

“When I was a kid and played with my friends, I always chose to be Platini. I would let my friends share between them the names of my other idols.”

Platini inspired France to their first international success and he almost singlehandedly made the France football team a force to reckon with.

#9 Michael Laudrup

Laudrup is one of the most talented players to have ever played. The elegant Dane has the unique achievement of being on the right side of a 5-0 scoreline for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in successive seasons.

A quick, intelligent and talented midfielder, Laudrup was known for his pace on the ball. He is regarded as one of the most effective and versatile attacking midfielders, as well as one of the most skilful and elegant players in the history of the game. Although primarily an offensive playmaker, he was capable of playing in several positions in or behind the front-line, and was even deployed as a winger.

Probably the greatest player to never win the Ballon d’Or, Laudrup is one of the few footballers who was loved by both Real Madrid and Barcelona fans.

#8 Bobby Charlton

Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton is one of the few English footballers who has won the Ballon d’Or and the World Cup. Renowned for his stamina, fitness, attacking instincts and his fierce shots, Charlton is undoubtedly the greatest English footballer of all time.

The legendary United attacking midfielder won a host of individual awards in his stellar career such as the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in 1966, FIFA World Player of the Year, Ballon d’Or winner and the FIFA World Cup All-Time team in 1994.

The man who best epitomised the English values of hardwork, passion, dedication and commitment, Bobby Charlton is the most successful and greatest English playmaker of all time.

#7 Roberto Baggio

Mainly playing as an attacking midfielder or a support striker, Roberto Baggio is quite easily the most talented footballer to ever play for Italy. Nicknamed Il Divin Codino (The Divine ponytail), Baggio was known for his spectacular set-pieces, dribbling skills and creativity.

Voted as the 4th best player of the century in 1999, Baggio was inspirational in Italy's run to the 1994 World Cup final eventhough he is remembered for the penalty miss in the final against Brazil.

A tactically versatile player capable of playing on the flanks or through the centre, Roberto Baggio was known for his creativity, vision and finishing skills. Probably the quote which best epitomised Baggio’s playing style is by the legend himself.

When asked to comment on his own playing style, Baggio said:

"It's better to make the ball move, it doesn't sweat..."

#6 Ronaldinho

The first step towards Barcelona’s dominance of modern football was achieved with the signing of Ronaldinho. One of the most skilled players ever to play the game, Ronaldinho’s signing in 2003 ushered in a new era of dominance for Barcelona.

The legendary Brazilian redefined how football was played and made everyone fall in love with the game. Blessed with immense technical skills, dribbling and creativity, Ronaldinho’s presence on the pitch always provided a bagful of goals, assists and crafty skills.

Quite easily one of the most popular players in the early 2000s, Ronaldinho won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005 and also won a host of other individual accolades in his stellar career. Ronaldinho is definitely among the top 10 attacking midfielders of all time.

#5 Zico

One of the greatest players of all time, Zico or “white Pele” as he is often known has scored an incredible number of goals from the attacking midfielder or “number 10” position. Zico was an excellent creative player gifted with extraordinary technique and vision. He was also a set-piece specialist and could score from almost any free-kick.

The Brazilian playmaker was often considered to be the brains of the team and he was adept at picking out passes and scoring goals as well. His goalscoring record for his clubs is absolutely sensational. The legendary Brazilian represented a number of clubs such as Flamengo, Udinese, and he even had a spell in Japan where he famously played for Kashima Antlers and guided them to the J-League title. In his club career, Zico scored an incredible 476 goals in 698 games.

One of the true greats of the game, Zico is arguably the greatest playmaker in Brazil’s history.

#4 Rivaldo

Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Every football fan of my generation would have grown up watching these two footballers wowing the world in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. The Brazilian magician was a powerful, highly skilful, and creative player, known for his dribbling ability, use of feints, balance, and close ball control.

Although he did not play as an out and out striker, the Brazilian playmaker was a prolific goalscorer and was at his peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s winning the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1999.

He was part of the famous trio that proved themselves too hot to handle as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo picked apart every defence in the Championships and brought home their Fifth World Cup. Rivaldo scored in the first five games of the World Cup as he decimated every opponent he faced.

Spanish football expert John Carlin wrote that Rivaldo “combines to dazzling effect the two essential qualities of the ideal footballer: artistry and efficiency”. Would there be a better way to sum up one of the most celebrated careers in World football? I believe not.

#3 Johan Cruyff

The man who created a whole new philosophy of ‘total football’, Johan Cruyff is rightly considered by many to be one of the most important people in football's history. Cruyff redefined the way the game was played and won the Ballon d'Or award an incredible 3 times (1971,1973,1974) during his stellar career.

In the summer of 1973, FC Barcelona came calling for the “Flying Dutchman” and signed him for a then world record transfer fee of $2 million. His arrival at Barcelona helped the Catalan giants put behind their arch-rivals Real Madrid as they thrashed them 5-0 at the Bernabeu.

Dutch journalist Hubert Smeets wrote: "Cruyff was the first player who understood that he was an artist, and the first who was able and willing to collectivise the art of sports". A player who truly made the game beautiful, the late great Johan Cruyff will forever remain immortal in the minds of football supporters.

#2 Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane was a footballer who defined an era. Renowned for his elegance, vision, ball control and technique, Zidane was named the best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll in 2004.

Considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, Zidane was one of the most complete players to ever play the game and he always seemed to bring his A-game when it mattered the most.

Zidane was well respected by his peers and many of his contemporaries believed him to be the greatest footballer of his generation. Swedish striker ZLatan Ibrahimovic commented:

“Zidane was from another planet. When Zidane stepped onto the pitch, the ten other guys just got suddenly better. It is that simple.”

Ronaldinho himself said:

"Zidane is one of the best footballers of all time, one of my idols. He had such elegance and grace, a wonderful touch and superb vision."

The Real Madrid manager is quite simply one of the greatest playmakers the game has ever seen.

#1 Diego Maradona

You knew from the beginning Diego Maradona would head this list didn’t you? The Argentine legend mainly operated in the number 10 position and is the first player in football history to set the world record transfer fee twice.

Considered the greatest football player of all time by many people, Maradona cemented his legacy when he almost singlehandedly guided Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title. A classic number 10 who was the creative outlet of his team, Maradona was renowned for his dribbling, close control and vision.

His second goal against England is considered to be one of the greatest goals of all time and even fellow footballers were left in awe at what Maradona could do. Lionel Messi himself said:

"Even if I played for a million years, I'd never come close to Maradona. Not that I'd want to anyway. He's the greatest there's ever been."

Maradona is the best attacking midfielder of all time.

Honourable mentions – While the top 10 list is over, there are some players who are extremely unlucky to miss out on this list. Those players are Kaka, Socrates, Ruud Gullit, Bergkamp and Italian legend Francesco Totti.

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