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#3 Xavi
In any top 10 midfielders list, one name which always makes it is Barcelona legend, Xavi. The Spaniard is one of the most decorated players to ever play the game and has won almost every trophy and accolade the game has to offer.
A man who almost defined the entire tiki-taka style the Spain and Barcelona teams implemented, Xavi was the main catalyst for the glorious success enjoyed by Barcelona and the Spanish national team from 2006-2014.
A supreme passer and playmaker, Xavi always seemed to find space in midfield and was capable of picking the right pass at the right time. His extraordinary passing skills, vision and technical ability made him one of the greatest midfielders and players to ever play the game.
The respect he had from his teammates can be seen by these wonderful quotes from his midfield partner Andres Iniesta:
“I have run out of compliments for him. There is no-one who can compare to what he represents as a person and a player. His statistics, the years, the feelings he conjures up, his way of doing things are beyond words. He is a unique player, unrepeatable and he has been fundamental to the club and Spain. It is a true pleasure and privilege to have played alongside him for my entire career.”
#2 Lothar Matthaus
1990 Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus had a storied career with Bayern Munich and the German national team. Winner of the World Cup in 1990, and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991, Matthaus was an extraordinary box-to-box midfield player who always seemed to be in the right position at the right time.
Capable of tackling robustly and shooting powerfully from distance, Matthaus was one of the most complete midfielders to ever play for Germany. The German star was also known for his brilliant leadership qualities and captained both Bayern Munich and the German national team.
The celebrated midfielder had a fruitful stint at Inter Milan as well before returning to Bayern Munich where he evolved his game into that of a sweeper in the latter part of his career.
#1 Andres Iniesta
Xavi's long-time midfield partner at both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, Andres Iniesta, is one of the most talented midfielders to ever play the game. Blessed with incredible vision, passing skills and an uncanny knack for performing when it matters the most, Iniesta will go down in Spanish history for his incredible performance and match-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.
Technically gifted and extremely skilled on the ball, Andres Iniesta's style of play was pleasing to watch and extremely effective on the field as well. Iniesta and Xavi were undoubtedly the best ever central midfield partnership to play the game.
Iniesta had a wonderful eye for a pass that could always unlock even the most stubborn of defenses. Currently playing with the Japanese side, Vissel Kobe, Andres Iniesta's game was perfectly described by Juan Roman Riquelme:
"The one who plays this game the best is Iniesta: he knows exactly when to go forward and when to drop back. He picks the right moment to do everything: when to dribble, when to speed things up and when to slow things down.
And I think that's the only thing that can't be taught or bought. You can learn how to shoot and how to control the ball, but being aware of everything that's happening out on the pitch – that's something you're either born with or you're not."
Andres Iniesta is arguably the greatest central midfielder of all time.
