5 best Registas in world football at the moment

Over the years, the role of a regista or a deep-lying playmaker has perfected by only a handful of players. While the likes of Xabi Alonso and Xavi weaved their magic for Spain's all-conquering golden generation, Andrea Pirlo was the lynchpin in midfield for club and country in his prime.

Registas are tasked with breaking lines and finding attackers in behind the defence, with players expected to have a particular skill set to succeed in the role.

While the game has changed considerably in recent years due to managers preferring runners in the centre of the park as opposed to the technically gifted #10s of yesteryear, deep-lying playmakers are currently at a premium.

On that note, here are five players who are widely regarded as the best registas in world football as things stand.

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#5 Dani Parejo | Villarreal

Dani Parejo left Valencia to join Villarreal this summer

Dani Parejo's rise to fame at Valencia was quite the story, with the Spaniard hailed as one of the most underrated midfielders of his generation. Having initially struggled to make the grade with Los Che, Parejo slowly grew into the role and became the club's go-to man and was an undisputed starter under several managers.

Renowned for his passing range, set-piece ability and defensive work rate, the 31-year-old served Valencia for eight seasons, before being sold against his wishes to Villarreal this summer.

Los Che are in complete disarray on and off the pitch and decided to let go off several players to reduce their wage bill, with Parejo also amongst the players to have been offloaded this summer.

The former Real Madrid man is set to go down as a modern-day great for Valencia and has played the role of a deep-lying midfielder to perfection over the years.

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#4 Frenkie de Jong | Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong is one of the brightest young players in world football

Over the past two seasons, Frenkie de Jong has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in world football.

The stylish midfielder was a pivotal member of the Ajax side that reached the Champions League semifinals in 2019, as he stood out in a team that comprised of the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek.

De Jong is one of the most press resistant player around, while his unique ability to contribute to attack as well as defence led to Barcelona paying a fee of £75 million to secure his signature last summer. The young midfielder is also a key player for the Netherlands, as he continues to turn heads with his performances for club and country.

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#3 Marco Verratti | Paris Saint-Germain

Marco Verratti is a key player for Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti could be described as an artist on the pitch. The Italian is one of the most entertaining players to watch on his day and has produced several matchwinning displays from the centre of the park over the years.

A technically gifted midfielder with a keen eye for a pass, Verratti has the ability to wriggle his way out of tight spaces and is also capable of threading inch-perfect through balls to his attackers. The Italian midfielder's diminutive stature and low centre of gravity makes him incredibly hard to dispossess, while his quick movements and deft flicks are a thing of beauty.

Verratti is an indispensable member of Thomas Tuchel side and is also one of the senior players for Italy. The 27-year-old has his prime well ahead of him and is one of the most talented midfielders of his age group.

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#2 Thiago Alcantara | Bayern Munich

Thiago Alcantara is a top target for Liverpool this summer

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara, much like Marco Verrarri, is one of the most aesthetically pleasing players to watch on his day. Having graduated from the famed La Masia academy, Thiago plied his trade with Barcelona and followed Pep Guardiola to Bayern Munich, where he is set to go down as a modern-day great for the club.

The gifted midfielder is one of the best passers around and is also an efficient dribbler of the ball, as he continues to run the show from the centre of the park for the Bavarian giants.

Thiago also has the work rate and tactical intelligence to contribute to both phases of play, making him one of the most well-rounded midfielders around. The 29-year-old recently won the treble with Bayern Munich and looks set to move to Liverpool this summer, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly a massive fan of his style of play.

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#1 Toni Kroos | Real Madrid

Toni Kroos is set to go down as one of the game's all-time greats

Real Madrid's midfield metronome Toni Kroos unsurprisingly tops the list, as he continues to set the standard for players in his position. The German international has won every trophy in club football and is one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, having made notable contributions for Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and the German national team over the years.

Kroos' passing range needs no introduction, while his calmness and poise on the ball meant he forged an excellent partnership with Luka Modric in the centre of the park. The 30-year-old's vision and accuracy has also been lauded over the years, while his set-piece ability is amongst the best in the business.

The German man has won a staggering four Champions League titles with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while the greatest moment of his illustrious career arrived in 2014 when he played a starring role in Germany's FIFA World Cup triumph.

Kroos is set to go down as an all-time great and still has a few years left in him before hanging up his boots.

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