His career is still going, but Pirlo has already accomplished much. He's also on Pele's list of 100 greatest footballers. oluka moldovan inks peter Countries: Spain (47 caps, five goals), Catalonia (seven caps, zero goals), Clubs: Barcelona, Brescia, Roma, Al-Ahli, Dorados. Country: West Germany (U21), Germany (35 caps, five goals), Clubs: Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, VfL Wolfsburg, Al-Arabi. He now serves as assistant manager for PSV and the Netherlands. That came in a game against Leeds United when he got in an altercation with Billy Bremner. yen tbrfootball He helped his country to the Euro 1980 title, however, and also played a part in the West Germans' run to the 1982 World Cup final. Valery Voronin won two league titles with FC Torpedo Moscow and was named Soviet Footballer of the Year twice in a row (1964-65). Hanappi did it all for Austria's midfield, as the team finished third in the 1954 World Cup. After getting sent off for bad language by the West German referee, Rattn refused to leave, incensed about what he thought was preferential treatment for the hosts. Country: West Germany/Germany (150 caps, 23 goals), Clubs: Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Inter, MetroStars (now called the New York Red Bulls). He was a part of the Netherlands teams that reached the semifinals at the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. Souness dominated every midfield in which he played. united manchester 8m versatile confirm deal star numerous decent midfielders squad season line His international career was cut short by feuds with his superiors, but he still managed to claim a runner-up medal at Euro 1992. He also won an FA Cup under Sir Matt Busby at Manchester United in 1963 and earned selections to the PFA Team of the Year for the 1973-74 and 1975-76 seasons. And they're all as different from each other as the jobs they performanonymously, for the most partfor their teams. If your favorite active playersomeone like Sergio Busquetsisn't on the list, that's not necessarily because he isn't great. Clubs: Velez Sarsfield, Pisa, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Inter, Lazio, Racing. The two were influential in the team's run all the way to the 1962 World Cup final. During his career, he won six league titles and one European Cup, and was named to the Euro 2000 All-tournament team and the 1998 World Cup All-star team. Called a "stylish player of faultless pedigree" by the Daily Telegraph, Rijkaard helped lead the Dutch past all the disappointing finishes in their past to the Euro 88 titlethe country's first and only major title. At the club level, he won two Eredivisie titles, three European Cups, two Dutch cups and one Copa Del Rey. A midfielder by trade, he played center back in the Euro 1988 final alongside Ronald Koeman. He wasn't used during Italy's 2002 World Cup campaign, but he was a fixture four years later when the Azzurri lifted the trophy. But this water carrier captained France to the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 titles. Clubs: Nantes, Marseille, Celta Vigo, Real Madrid, Chelsea, PSG. He has won two Champions League titles, two league titles and one Italian cup, all with Milan. Later, he bragged about it in his book. He played the anchor role for Brazil's 1994 World Cup championship team and captained them to the 1998 final. A central midfielder, he earned a spot on Pele's list of the 125 greatest living players in 2004. Alongside the equally tenacious Billy Bremner in the Leeds midfield, Giles helped the Whites win league titles in 1969 and 1974, the FA Cup in 1972 and the Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971. After the World Cup final, Gattuso famously celebrated in his tighty whities. With fellow Frenchman Emmanuel Petit, Vieira formed the backbone of Arsene Wenger's first title-winning side at Arsenal. Mauro Silva played almost every minute of Brazil's 1994 World Cup title-winning campaign. And if you ask us, he looked a bit like Cris Collinsworth. He was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year in 2001. After rising from Barcelona B to the varsity squad, Guardiola played his part in the Blaugrana's title-winning sides of 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1997-98 and 1998-99. Enough said. He scored an equalizing goal against Uruguay in the 1970 World Cup semifinals and assisted a goal by Carlos Alberto Torres in the final against Italy by dribbling past several defenders (Brazil won the match). With Santos, he won nine league titles, four straight Brazilian cups and two Copa Libertadores. As a player, he was a pretty darn good defensive midfielder. Neeskens played the support role for Johan Cruyff in the Netherlands' glorious teams of 1974 and 1978. besoccer At the club level, he won three league titles. He played 440 league matches in Argentina, winning a league title and one Copa Libertadores title. Country: Netherlands (35 caps, six goals), Clubs: Ajax, Anderlecht, Standard Liege, PSV, Seiko. That had as much to do with his trademark dreadlocks and goggles as it did with his amazing combination of physicality and creativity. It spans much of the history of the game, but gives extra consideration to players whose careers have already finished. This is a list of 50 of the very best defensive midfielders in world football history. During his career, he won six league titles and represented his country at the World Cup and Copa America. But his most famous moments might come from his offensive contributions. Clubs: Nacional (Uruguay), Bologna, Lazio, Napoli, Catania, Forli. At the club level, Hanappi led his teams to seven league titles and one Austrian cup. His combative, physical style helped Liverpool win five league titles in six years and three European Cups. Clubs: Bella Vista, Nacional, Pearol, Club Atletico Atlanta, Lanus-Talleres, Wanderers, Argentinos Juniors. Clubs: River Plate, Millonarios, CA Huracn. Country: West Germany (42 caps, three goals), Clubs: Borussia Monchengladbach, Real Madrid, Neuchatel Xamax. Pele named him one of the best 125 living footballers in 2004. Clubs: West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United, Middlesbrough. He showed he wasn't all talk with his strong tackling, including a stout challenge on Brazil's Bigode. He was also a member of European Cup runner-up squads with each teamReal in 1981 and Monchengladbach in 1977. Haan played the defensive midfield role for the Ajax teams that won three straight European Cups from 1971-73. Clodoaldo was one of the best defensive midfielders in Brazilian national team history. These days, Pep Guardiola is Barcelona's suave manager. Oh Romeo, Romero, wherefore were thou such a hard tackler? Clubs: Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Preston North End. In Mexico, it's volante de contencinyou figure it out. Between 1965 and 1980, Jansen and Feyenoord won four league titles, one Dutch cup, one UEFA Cup and the 1970 European Cup. He even scored in the 1962 final. A magnet?". He was the youngest member of West Germany's 1974 World Cup-winning side, and he also played for the Euro 1976 runner-up squad. Country: West Germany (53 caps, nine goals), Clubs: Borussia Monchengladbach, Valencia, FC Koln, Hertha Berlin. Country: Argentina (63 caps, eight goals), Clubs: Instituto de Cordoba, Belgrano, Huracan, Tottenham Hotspur, PSG, St. George Saints, Blackburn Rovers, QPR, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, Swindon Town, Ardiles was a member of Argentina's 1978 World Cup-winning side. Country: Argentina (73 caps, three goals). He won one league title with both Hearts and Spurs, and led Tottenham to three FA Cups and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in the 1960s. A member of Argentina's 1978 World Cup title team, Gallego played nearly every minute and provided valuable cover to the back line. Clubs: Internacional, Corinthians, Santos, Vasco da Gama, Pisa, Fiorentina, Pescara, VfB Stuttgart, Jubilo Iwata. The "Toothless Tiger," Stiles was integral in the then-new role of all-out ball-winner during England's 1966 World Cup triumph and Manchester United's run to the 1968 European Cup title. Clubs: Leeds United, Hull City, Doncaster Rovers. Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Montreal Olympique, Middlesbrough, West Adelaide, Liverpool, Sampdoria, Rangers. The English nicknamed him Clockwork for his consistency. During his 17-year run (1959-76), Leeds won two league titles and one FA Cup and advanced to the 1975 European Cup final. He also captained Portugal at the 1966 World Cup. Kicker Magazine ranked him "world class" five times in a row from 1957-61. Mackay was named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association in 1969 and was later named to the Football League's list of 100 legends. The diminutive Giles, who stood 5'7" in his playing days, earned his status as one of Ireland's all-time greats through hard-nosed midfield work for Leeds United in the 1960s and 70s. He won the Dutch Golden Shoe in 1985 and 1987 and was named to Pele's FIFA 100 list. Zito won just about everything possible in his career. It was a matter of war. Clubs: Ajax, Sporting CP, Zaragoza, Milan. But he might be best remembered for that picture you're looking at. His name comes from the Portuguese translation of Dopey, the Snow White character. At his peak, Falco was among the world's best players. Dunga, however, was not dopey on the pitch. After a Real Madrid win over Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson quipped about Redondo, "What does the player have in his boots? As a creative and combative central midfielder, Cocu won four Dutch league titles with PSV and helped Barca take the La Liga crown in 1999. Besides that, he was a great player. Andrade was a former carnie who helped lead Uruguay to the first World Cup title in 1930, as well as gold medals at the 1924 and '28 Olympics. Rather, it's probably because he hasn't been playing long enough for us to get a proper perspective. They break up the opposition's play. Vieira went on to set up a goal in the 1998 World Cup final (which France won) and was a first-choice midfielder for France's Euro 2000-winning side. Willem Van Hanegem hated Germans. During a distinguished career with Hearts, Spurs, Derby County and Swindon Town, Dave Mackay earned a reputation for being one of Britain's best, hardest footballers. With Tottenham Hotspur, he won the FA Cup in 1981 and '82, and the UEFA Cup in 1984. Bozsik was strong in the tackle and was famous for his field awareness and game knowledge. Edgar Davids was one of the most recognizable players of his generation. They provide cover when defenders venture upfield. Nicknamed "Pipo," Nstor Rossi played both midfield and defense for three South American clubs and the Argentina national team. When he wasn't hating the Germans, Hanegem was playing brilliant football. Bremner, a short, combative midfielder, was a major contributor for Leeds United through perhaps the best period in club history. He's a member of the English Football Hall of Fame, Rangers Hall of Fame and the Scottish national team Hall of Fame. soccergator midfielders His role was to provide the link between the defense and the attackers. A box-to-box midfielder, Robson excelled offensively and defensively for Manchester United and England. Clubs: Cannes, Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter, Manchester City. Clubs: Floridsdorfer AC, Austria Wien, Sampdoria. Matthus is the best defensive midfielder of all time. Jansen also helped anchor the 1974 and 1978 Netherlands teams, both of which advanced to the World Cup final. The team's goalie called him an octopus for his ability to stop opponents' attacks. Benetti won two Italian league titles, five Italian cups and helped Italy finish fourth at the 1978 World Cup and Euro 1980. A defender and defensive midfielder, Germano helped Benfica win four league championships, two Portuguese cups and the 1961 and 1962 European Cups. Clubs: Nantes, Marseille, Bordeaux, Juventus, Chelsea, Valencia. Country: Republic of Ireland (67 caps, nine goals), Clubs: Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Celtic. Clubs: Perugia, Rangers, Salernitana, Milan. He also played in the 1958 Cup and captained the team from 1955-62. Since retirement, Cocu has entered management. For his efforts, Bremner was named the club's greatest player of all time in 2000, earned a spot on the Football League's list of 100 legends and has been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. He also won seven Bundesliga titles. He was also part of the Netherlands' Total Football sides that advanced to the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals. Andreolo, an Italian born in Uruguay, played midfield for Italy's 1938 World Cup-winning team. Pluskal was later honored with a selection to play for the "Rest of the World" team against England at Wembley in 1963. In English, they power the engine room or act as destroyers. A versatile midfielder, Voronin also played defender occasionally. He also won five league titles and three Austrian cups. Clubs: Santos, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Nacional-AM. Clubs: Argentinos Juniors, Tenerife, Real Madrid, Milan. Obdulio Varela captained Uruguay to the 1950 World Cup title. If we're being picky, he actually played right half. In South America, one might be called a volante de marcaa steering wheel. Eric Cantona once called Deschamps a "water carrier." Clubs: Brescia, Inter, Reggina, Milan, Juventus. All you really need to know is this: After man-marking Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup final, Maradona called Matthus his best rival. Matthus, who started his career as a midfielder and finished it as a sweeper, played in a record five World Cups and was capped a German-record 150 times. Clubs: Pisa, Como, Juventus, Inter, St. Gallen. In a career covering three decades (1978-99), Franky Van Der Elst played in four World Cups, won five Belgian league titles and three Belgian cups. Redondo's greatness showed at the club level more than with Argentina. Equal parts controversial character and brilliant footballer, Effenberg was one of Europe's most feared midfielders at the height of his career. He helped his country win Euro 1980 and World Cup 1990 and led Bayern Munich to two European Cup triumphs (1987, 1999). Clubs: Deportivo Juventud, Montevideo Wanderers, Pearol. gattuso gennaro midfield It wasn't a matter of mere dislike due to issues on the field. From 1970-78, he and Monchengladbach won four Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Cup. At the club level, Rijkaard won five league titles with Ajax, two more with Milan and three European Cups between the two clubs. He earned a spot on the Football League's list of 100 legends and was an inaugural inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Country: Netherlands (74 caps, six goals), Clubs: Ajax, Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Inter, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace. Svatopluk Pluskal, who shares a name with a medieval Moravian king, formed part of Czechoslovakia's two-man midfield (it was a 4-2-4 formation) with Josef Masopust. As a player, Roy Keane was as tough, mean and crazy as you can get. Country: Netherlands (101 caps, 10 goals), Clubs: AZ Alkmaar, Vitesse, PSV, Barcelona, Al-Jazira Club. In a distinguished club career in Germany, he won three league titles, two cups and the European Cup with Bayern in 2001. Country: Czechoslovakia (56 caps, one goal), Clubs: SK Letna Zlin, Dukla Prague, LIAZ Jablonec. With Real Madrid from 1994-2000, Redondo made a name for himself as one of the world's best midfielders with his superior defensive and offensive skills. Clubs: RCH, Ajax, Barcelona, New York Cosmos, Groningen. Bozsik was an influential member of Hungary's Magical Magyars team of the 1950s that dazzled world football. With Brazil, the midfielder won the 1958 and '62 World Cups. We'll return to Ocwirk later, but we also wanted to give Koller, who was slightly more defensive-minded, his due in this list. When he retired from international football, he was Argentina's all-time caps leader. Clubs: Hearts, Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County, Swindon Town. He could influence a game like few midfielders ever have. As a person, he's much the same. He helped Feyenoord to three Eredivisie titles and the 1970 European Cup.