The defensive midfielder is crucial to any football team and plays a vital role. They play a crucial role in the game, bridging the defence and the attackers. We at The Football Yeller are here to cover the Top 10 Greatest Defensive Midfielders of All Time. They offer defenders protection and supply attackers with the ball to create scoring opportunities.
Top 10 Greatest Defensive Midfielders of All Time
Presented here is a compilation of the Top 10 Greatest Defensive Midfielders of All Time, who played a crucial role in their teams’ defensive lines.
10). Rodri
Rodri’s move from Atlético Madrid to Manchester City has made him an essential player for the team. He has shown himself to be a crucial player in Pep Guardiola’s system, thanks to his impressive ball control, exceptional vision, and ability to disrupt the opposition’s play.
Rodri has proven to be an invaluable asset not only for City but also for the Spanish National Team, contributing greatly to their success in both domestic and European competitions. His ability to maintain possession and control the tempo of matches from the central midfield position has been instrumental for the team.
9). Frank Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard played a significant role for Ajax and Milan during the 1989–1990 and early 1990–1991 seasons. He is versatile and excels in both the centre-back and defensive midfielder positions, showcasing his strength, tactical sense, and excellent passing abilities.
Rijkaard played a significant role in Milan’s dominance in the Italian league and its success in conquering Europe.
8). Didier Deschamps
Deschamps’ exceptional work ethic and role as a key player for the French national team were instrumental in their victory at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000.
The French player also had a successful club career with renowned clubs like Marseille, Juventus, and Chelsea. He brought organisation and strong defensive skills to these teams.
7). Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets has been a crucial part of Barcelona’s midfield since the 2010/11 season, contributing to the club’s numerous domestic and international successes.
His exceptional understanding of the game, a knack for intercepting the ball, and composure under pressure have catapulted him to the top tier of players in his position. Busquets has been a key player in Spain’s historic achievements, such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 Euro.
6). Edgar Davids
Known as “The Pitbull,” Edgar Davids was a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. He displayed a relentless and aggressive style of play, showcasing his skills in the defensive midfield position. He transformed Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, and Barcelona into formidable teams.
In addition to his ability to disrupt the opponent’s play, he brought an immense amount of energy to propel the team forward with his powerful runs. Davids also played for the Netherlands national team during his professional career.
5). Roy Keane
It is crucial to highlight the strong connection between Manchester United and Roy Keane. Keane was an incredibly intense and competitive player who excelled as a physical defensive midfielder. He was a vital force for Manchester United, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s.
His contributions were crucial to United’s success in both domestic and European competitions, thanks to his leadership, tackling skills, and ability to read the game.
4). Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira, the former Arsenal star, played a crucial role in leading the Gunners’ midfield during a highly successful era for the English side in the late nineties and early 2000s. His exceptional playmaking skills and impressive physical strength were instrumental in the team’s success.
He showcased remarkable ball control and precise passing abilities. Vieira’s exceptional qualities proved invaluable to Arsenal, as he consistently executed successful tackles and propelled the team to achieve an Invincible season in 2003–2004.
3). Dunga
An incredible player from Brazil, Dunga played a crucial role in the national team’s victorious campaign in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. They greatly benefited from him as a leader and a defensive wall, allowing their attackers to freely express themselves.
Dunga showcased his footballing prowess in Brazil, Italy, and Germany, demonstrating his strong tackling and precise passing abilities.
2). Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Matthäus is undeniably one of the most exceptional midfielders in the illustrious world of football. Specifically, the player can play in various midfield positions, but his performance as a defensive midfielder was truly exceptional.
Matthäus gained fame for his exceptional physical condition, unmatched tackling skills, and his commanding presence as a leader on the pitch. He successfully guided his team, Germany, to victory in the 1990 World Cup and also played for renowned clubs like Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
1). Claude Makélélé
It is unfortunate that Claude Makélélé will be remembered as a great defensive midfielder, even though he reinvented the style of the position. His success at Real Madrid as well as Chelsea was based on his mastery of the role of disrupting the opposition’s play and effective passing of the ball back.
Makélélé possessed excellent positional sense and tackle, as well as accurate passing, and, because of his impact, the position is named after him: The Makélélé role.
The Conclusion
These defensive midfielders have not only done well in just the given techniques but have also impacted so much on their teams and the game as a whole. Its ability to perform the functions of defenders as well as the functions of starting attacks has put it in a special category that sees it irreplaceable in teams. \
Rodri is a representative of the game’s current iteration, and Claude Makélélé’s well-known abilities are another. For many years, their examples have remained the reference points in the football world, proving the significance of the defensive midfielder’s position in the game.
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