Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham has been named the best attacking midfielder in the world according to Planet Football’s latest rankings. He beat Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Argentina’s Nico Paz to take the top spot.
The ranking, which was seen by PUNCH Online on Wednesday, looks at traditional No. 10s, creative midfielders, and attacking playmakers. It does not include deeper midfielders or defensive players.
Bellingham earned the number one position even though his season did not meet the high standards he set after joining Real Madrid. The England international faced some questions about his role alongside other attacking stars at the club. However, his performances during the World Cup reminded fans of his ability to change games at the highest level.
Planet Football pointed out that Bellingham's challenges were more about Real Madrid's midfield balance after the exits of key players like Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. This was not due to a drop in his personal quality.
Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United came in second place after another strong creative season. The Portugal international received praise for his passing skills and ability to create chances. He ranked among the top playmakers in Europe's five biggest leagues.
Fernandes shone individually even though Manchester United had an inconsistent season. His creativity and leadership keep him as one of the world's most influential attacking midfielders.
Nico Paz, a rising star from Como and Argentina, rounded out the top three. The 21-year-old had a breakout season and became one of football’s most exciting young talents. He played a vital role in Como’s successful campaign and has caught the eye of Europe’s top clubs.
Rayan Cherki from Manchester City ranked fourth after a fantastic first season in England. He contributed goals, assists, and brought creativity and flair to the attack.
Dani Olmo from Barcelona and Spain took the fifth spot. His ability to perform in crucial matches got him noticed, even with strong competition in both his club and national team.
Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White came in sixth after a strong finish to the season. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was seventh, with a season marked by injuries and inconsistent performance.
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz ranked eighth. Although he did not fully meet expectations after his big move, his talent and potential are still highly regarded.
Arsenal's captain Martin Ødegaard finished ninth, with his technical skills and influence still recognized despite fewer attacking contributions than in previous seasons.
Fermín López from Barcelona completed the top ten after continuing to rise as one of Spain’s most promising young attacking midfielders.
Several big names, including Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, missed out on the final list, with recent performances influencing the selections.
Here’s the list of the top 10 attacking midfielders in the world:
- Jude Bellingham
- Bruno Fernandes
- Nico Paz
- Rayan Cherki
- Dani Olmo
- Morgan Gibbs-White
- Cole Palmer
- Florian Wirtz
- Martin Ødegaard
- Fermín López
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇