The Greatest Midfielder Playmakers of All Time
Shirt number: 8 or 10; also known as: 'regista'

'Playmaker' is an over-used term but this applies to its purest use. These are players that remain in the midfield area and control the game through their passing, often known as 'midfield generals' when combined with leadership and organisation skills. They are all excellent, accurate long-range passers of the ball with great vision and can dictate the play. Playmakers either operate from a deep position - in or even behind the main midfield line, where they can use space and time on the ball to orchestrate the moves of the whole team, not just attacks on goal. Alternatively, they sit between midfield and the fowards and make incisive passes to the wingers or forwards, seeing them through on goal or to deliver killer crosses. Where these latter playmakers differ from attacking midfielders is that attacking midfielders may also be playmakers but they also get into the box themselves and score a healthy amount of goals. Playmakers, on the other hand, tend to remain in position and leave the goalscoring to others. Their skills on the ball however often mean that they score from free kicks or long range shots. When operating in a deeper position the playmaker must also be involved in marking and regaining position - by interceptions and tackling. Forward playmakers may be excused these duties of they have enough 'workers' around them (usually another two central midfielders (either defensive or box-to-box midfielders: a system favoured in Argentina. 

Sometimes playmakers are seen a luxury that cannot be afforded. Their use has varied depending on era and nationality. In the W-M or 2-3-5 system one of the inside-forwards was often pulled back, in the English game these players were known as  'schemers' and played an important role in the team (for example Johnny Haynes or Wilf Mannion). Otherwise a cultured half-back would take this playmaking role. Their popularity in England lessend after Ramsey's 4-4-2 innovations. In Argentina they are still practically worshipped, in Italy they are also prized. In England or Germany today though they are often viewed with suspicion as lacking sufficient work-rate. Used properly these are very important players though, setting the rhythym and flow of the whole team. Forwards, wingers and box-to-box midfielders are often converted into playmakers later in their career, when they are less mobile - often very succesfully (e.g. Paul Scholes for Manchester United). This selection, however, focuses on players who specialised in the playmaker role through most of their career.
 

Picture
Didi
The Greatest Deep-Lying Playmakers

Alex James  Sco  1930s

Bozsik  Hun  1950s

Johnny Giles  Ire  1950s/60s

Danny Blanchflower  NI  1958-61

Didi  Bra  1958-62

Coluna  Por  1960s

Baxter  Sco  1960s

Gerson  Bra  1960s/70s

van Hanegem  Neths  1970s 

 

Picture
Pirlo
Netzer  Ger  1970s

Oblak  Yugo  1970s

Falcao  Bra  1980s

Prohaska  Aus  1970s/80s

Valderrama  Col  1980s/90s

Guardiola  Spa  1990s

Veron  Arg  1990s/00s

Pirlo  Ita  2000s

Alonso  Spa  2000s/10s

Carrick Eng 2000s/10s

Kroos  Ger  2010s

 

Picture
Luis Suarez
The Greatest Attacking Playmakers


Sastre  Arg  1930s

Raich Carter  Eng  1930s

Wilf Mannion  Eng  1940s/50s

Haynes  Eng  1950s

Luis Suarez  Spa  1960s

Overath  Ger  1966-74

Panenka  Cze  1970s

Deyna  Pol  1970s

Liam Brady  Ire  1970s/80s

Antognoni  Ita  1970s/80s

 

Picture
Xavi
Bochini  Arg  1970s/80s

Cesar Cueto   Peru  1970s/80s

Hoddle  Eng 1980s

Enzo Scifo  Bel 1980s/90s

Boban  Cro  1990s

Rui Costa  Por  1990s

Riquelme  Arg  2000s

Deco  Por  2000s

Xavi  Spa  2000s/10s

Modric  Cro  2000s/10s
​
D. Silva  Spa  2000s/10s

​Ozil  ​Ger  2010s 

De Bruyne  Bel  2010s
To explore, use the tabs on the header or click on the links below:

Alltime Legends

Best Players in Each Position

Best Ever National Teams 

Best Ever Club Teams
 
Dream Teams

Visit our Shop