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A playmaker of a football team acts as its central nervous system. He instructs his teammates, brings key players into play, and often ends up making the decisive movement that settles it all.
Being an excellent playmaker is probably the toughest job in football. But the men on our list today have aced that test with flying colors. Here are the top eight playmakers the game has seen:
Special mention: Johan Cruyff, Mesut Ozil, Dennis Bergkamp
#8 Andrea Pirlo
Unlike most players on this list, Andrea Pirlo’s playmaking skills were not exhibited from the top of the midfield triangle. He used to play in a more conservating position, as a “Regista” or a deep-lying playmaker.
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As a deep-lying playmaker, he used his passing range to create attacks from his own half. An excellent free-kick taker, Pirlo’s long balls were deceptively accurate and often led to goalscoring chances.
Dubbed the “Maestro,” Pirlo won the 2006 World Cup, two Champions League titles, and six Serie A titles, amongst other honors.
#7 Andres Iniesta
Known for his ball control, agility and balance, Andres Iniesta was arguably the best attacking midfielder in the world between 2004 and 2014. He defined flair and finesse and could get out of the trickiest of situations without breaking a sweat.
Described as a complete footballer, Iniesta could score as well as assist at Barcelona. He could provide threatening long balls and slide into pockets of space himself.
The 2010 World Cup winner utilized his low center of gravity to get away from defenders, which almost always ended badly for his opponents.
#6 Xavi
Current Barcelona manager Xavi embodied poise and precision during his time with Barcelona. He was always a step ahead of his rivals, seeing passes and moves others could not.
Between 1998 and 2015, Xavi operated as the brain of his beloved Barcelona team. He instructed his teammates to move, passed the ball to them, and got it back when needed.
Xavi’s playmaking skills were not flashy, or eye-catching per-se. His playmaking was clinical and decisive, both for club and country.
#5 Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho may not have enjoyed European football for decades, but he sure managed to make each of his moments count.
The 2002 World Cup winner truly came on his own at Barcelona and eventually won the Ballon d'Or in 2005. Thanks to his unmatched bag of tricks, Ronaldinho could fool any defense in the world.
Ronaldinho was an excellent dribbler, a potent goalscorer, and had an eye for providing inch-perfect passes. He could play on either wing or down the middle, proving to be potent in all offensive positions.
#4 Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is arguably the most skillful midfielder the world has ever seen. Even on his worst days, he could bring his opposition to their knees with his ball control, passing, and vision.
Not only did Zidane enjoy excellent spells at Real Madrid and Juventus, but he was also the hero of France’s 1998 World Cup glory. Zidane managed to win the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or as a player, cementing his name in history.
Zidane also led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles as manager. He is the only manager to have made that possible in the modern Champions League format.
#3 Pele
Brazil, the most decorated footballing nation on the planet, celebrates football like no other. The country not only loves the sport but lives it. Brazil’s never-ending talent pool is a testament to its dedication, and it all started with the man who won it all - the great Pele.
Pele remains the only player in history to win three World Cups (1970, 1962, 1958); the only player to star in all of them. The “King of Football” scored over a thousand goals in his career, but he was a lot more than an out-and-out goalscorer.
Pele was also known for his excellent link-up play and distribution. He was able to pick out his teammates effortlessly and regularly provided them with assists.
Later in his career, Pele even operated as an attacking midfielder. Needless to say, the King excelled in this role as well.
#2 Diego Maradona
Lionel Messi may have finally delivered an international trophy, but to Argentinians, Messi’s mentor, Diego Maradona, will always be the golden boy. Maradona was the personification of versatility on his day. He could score, he could assist, and he could do it all with a smile on his face.
Maradona was a classic number 10. He loved to sit behind the traditional forwards and chip in with defence-piercing passes. Maradona’s excellent dribbling also let him have a go at goal whenever he fancied.
The 1986 World Cup hero was also comfortable playing as a trigger-happy central midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation.
#1 Lionel Messi
Seeing Lionel Messi at the top of this should not come as a surprise to anyone. Apart from being an excellent goalscorer, Messi is also an exemplary creator, making it impossible to refute his place at the summit.
Messi is arguably the only player who is equally effective in front of goal and in the middle of the park. His passing range knows no bounds, his vision is unmatched, and there is hardly a better set-piece taker than him right now.
Messi has all the traits a great playmaker should have and some more.
Messi started his career on the right flank and eventually adopted the false-nine role. He also knows when to drop deep to fetch the ball and has the intelligence to evade the challenges that come his way.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has already provided 352 assists in his career (Barcelona, Argentina) and we expect him to build on that at PSG.
