Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has been recognised as the best attacking midfielder in football after emerging first in Planet Football’s latest global rankings.
The England international finished ahead of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, while Argentine prospect Nico Paz secured third place on the list.
The rankings, released on Wednesday, assessed players known for their creativity in advanced midfield roles, focusing on playmakers and No. 10s rather than defensive or deep-lying midfielders.
Bellingham claimed the top position even though his most recent season was not as dominant as his debut campaign in Spain. However, his displays on the international stage once again showed why he remains one of the game’s elite talents.
Planet Football suggested that the changes in Real Madrid’s midfield following the departures of club legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić affected the team’s balance, making Bellingham’s job more demanding rather than exposing any weakness in his game.
Fernandes was placed second after continuing to deliver outstanding performances as Manchester United’s chief creator. His vision, accurate distribution and ability to unlock defences kept him among Europe’s leading attacking midfielders despite the club’s mixed results.
Nico Paz completed the top three after enjoying a remarkable rise with Como. The young Argentine impressed throughout the campaign and has reportedly attracted attention from several major European clubs.
Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki earned fourth place after adapting quickly to English football, contributing regularly with goals, assists and inventive attacking play.
Barcelona’s Dani Olmo was ranked fifth, with his consistency and influence in key matches helping him secure a place among the world’s leading attacking midfielders.
Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White finished sixth, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer occupied seventh after battling injuries during the season.
Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz came in eighth, with his reputation remaining strong despite failing to fully justify expectations following his high-profile arrival.
Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard was named ninth, while Barcelona youngster Fermín López rounded off the top 10 after another impressive year of development.
The rankings also excluded several big names, including Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, as recent performances carried significant weight in the final selections.
Top 10 attacking midfielders:
- Jude Bellingham
- Bruno Fernandes
- Nico Paz
- Rayan Cherki
- Dani Olmo
- Morgan Gibbs-White
- Cole Palmer
- Florian Wirtz
- Martin Ødegaard
- Fermín López
