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Euro 2024 will start on June 14, with the continental competition set to run for a month. Germany are set to host the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Pre-tournament favorites like England, France, Spain, Germany, and Portugal are preparing minutely. Defending champions Italy can't be counted out of contention as well.
All the aforementioned teams have some of the best players in the world in their ranks. All of those sides will rely heavily on top central midfielders to dictate their play. After all, the midfield battle often proves to be decisive in such competitions.
In this listicle, we'll rank the top five central midfielders set to play at Euro 2024. The list takes into account a player's quality, as well as his current form. Read on to learn more.
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Top five central midfielders at Euro 2024
#1 Rodri - Spain
Spain have a true master midfielder in their ranks in Rodri. The Manchester City superstar is arguably the best in the world in his position. Even in a star-studded team like City, Rodri stands out.
He controls the tempo of a game masterfully. The Spaniard scores important goals as well. He is also defensively responsible, making him a rare commodity in world football.
Rodri enjoyed a successful 2023-24 season with Manchester City. He scored nine goals and provided 14 assists in 50 matches across competitions as City won their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
He is an experienced campaigner at the international level, making 43 appearances for Spain. Having such an experienced campaigner in the middle of the park is massive for Luis de la Fuente's side.
#2 Jude Bellingham - England
Very few footballers in world football, if any, carry the form that Jude Bellingham currently does. He enjoyed a stellar debut season with Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists in 42 appearances across competitions.
Bellingham won three trophies with Los Blancos - La Liga, Supercopa de Espana, and UEFA Champions League. He will now embark on an adventure with England at Euro 2024.
The midfielder is expected to be a key force for Gareth Southgate's team, as he was during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Bellingham has been tipped to play behind Harry Kane as a supply line.
Bellingham, 20, has already gotten the miles in international football. He has made 29 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring thrice and providing five assists.
#3 Declan Rice - England
Bellingham will have a worthy midfield partner by his side. Arsenal's Declan Rice is one of the most technically gifted players of the modern era. Rice oozes class and reliability.
He can play as a No. 6 and a No. 8. Rice can pass, dribble, shoot, and carry the ball. He is also defensively very responsible and any team in the world would love to have a player of Rice's quality.
Rice ended his first season at Arsenal with seven goals and 10 assists from 51 matches in all competitions. He helped Mikel Arteta's side earn a second-place Premier League finish.
Rice is an experienced international, having already made 50 appearances for England. He has five goals for the Three Lions and will look to add to that at Euro 2024.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne - Belgium
No conversation about midfielders will go without Kevin De Bruyne being mentioned. He is perhaps the best creator in world football. He can thread in passes that are usually seen in video games.
The Belgian is a craftsman at work. Apart from his eye for a pass, De Bruyne is a scary shooter of the ball. He can also dribble and often pops up with decisive moments in tight matches.
De Bruyne had an injury-plagued campaign with Manchester City. He scored six goals and provided 18 assists in 26 appearances across competitions in 2023-24. He is on course to be a star presence in Euro 2024, as his numbers suggest.
De Bruyne has already won 100 caps for the Red Devils. The Belgium captain has scored 27 goals and has provided 49 assists for his country so far.
#5 Toni Kroos - Germany
While the word legend is often thrown around too much these days, Toni Kroos personifies the term. His immaculate accuracy, precision, poise, and vision are unmatched in world football.
Kroos recently played his last season in club football, helping Real Madrid win three trophies. The German scored one goal and provided 10 assists in 48 games across competitions.
Kroos will now play Euro 2024, his last act as a professional footballer. The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner came back from retirement to play in the competition in his home country.
Kroos boasts a stellar record for Die Mannschaft. He has scored 17 goals and has provided 21 assists in 109 appearances for Germany. Fans will closely watch if Kroos can add the Euro 2024 to his bulging trophy cabinet before retirement.
Honorable mentions
Bruno Fernandes - Portugal
The Manchester United captain is one of the best midfielders in world football. He is a master creator and scores important goals for club and country. Fernandes will be crucial to Portugal's hopes of winning Euro 2024.
Luka Modric - Croatia
Luka Modric is hands down one of the best midfielders to ever grace the game. He has the touch of a magician with impeccable movement. Modric scores stunning goals from time to time as well. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner will have his final shot at winning an international trophy at Euro 2024.
