Top 5 Balkan Midfielders

The Balkan Peninsula has a rich footballing history, with several players emerging from the 12 countries, which is collectively known as the 'Balkan Nations'. These countries which include the likes of Serbia, Croatia, and Kosovo, among others are turning out to be a conveyor belt for world-class midfielders whose contributions can't go unnoticed.

With the World Cup and the Euro fast approaching, these pint-sized countries cannot be overlooked as they are accoutred with the most serpentine minds calling the signals for topflight teams across the major leagues presently. Youngsters like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Mateo Kovacic are also getting into the act to carry on the everlasting footballing legacy of the region forward.

Take a look at the top five from the Balkans who are dominating world football at present.

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#5 Ivan Perišić

The Croatian is one of the best wingers around right now. Joining Inter in 2015, after brief spells at Borussia and Wolfsburg, he has come to terms with Italian football really well. A superb dribbler, he is adept with both his feet, despite playing mostly on the left wing.

Renowned for his cut-ins, crosses and dangerous volleys, he has been in the thick of things for Inter for the past two seasons. He was linked with a possible move to Manchester United, with the deal going awry at the last moment.

Perisic's importance and his style of play is something that may escape the attention of the highlights, but he is as important as Mauro Icardi to the Milan side. He can also be played as a second striker. The tall Croatian, who is also Inter's top assist provider is an asset any team would be thrilled to have.

#4 Nemanja Matić

'The Beast' spotting his prey

The towering Serbian, who plays as a defensive midfielder for Manchester United, is everything a team can ask for. The multifaceted Matic can double up as a centre-back during opposition counters and can almost equally effectively turn into a striker during offence with pinpoint passes and powerful headers being an important aspect of his game. He brings a calming influence to the team and can effectively neutralize opposition attacks thereby acting as a reliable shield for his team's defence. He helped Chelsea to the Premier League title last season before joining United last year.

Replacing Micheal Carrick, Matic has effectively sealed United's voids in the midfield and has also provided defensive backup for the likes of Paul Pogba and the newly arrived Alexis Sanchez. He is the fulcrum to Mourinho's much-debated style of play called 'Bus Parking', one which he often employs against fast-paced oppositions. Matic's complexly simple style of play is central to gel the attack and defence of a rejuvenated United side.

Most times it is the more attacking players that get the appraisals and adulation, with his efforts going unnoticed and unappreciated from a layman's perspective. But he would surely be one of the first to get the coach's pat on the back for thwarting in numerous counter attacks from the opposition and for his superlative work-rate.

#3 Miralem Pjanic

Pjanic going for goal

The 27-year-old Bosnian international plays as a centre mid for Juventus. Having completed short spells at Lyon and Metz, he came to prominence with scintillating displays for Serie A team Roma, before he earned a call-up to Juventus in 2016. He was an ideal replacement for the legendary Andrea Pirlo at Juve, both in terms of creativity and fabulous set piece taking ability.

Blessed with nimble feet and a deft touch he brings a certain flair and silkiness to the much-lauded Juventus midfield. He is known for carving open the opposition defence with his cheeky through balls and propelled the Old Lady to the UEFA Champions League final in 2016/17.

Born in Luxemburg, he has been a Bosnian international since 2007, earning over 70 caps for his country. He supplies his captain Edin Dzeko with chances, but couldn't secure a World Cup qualification for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also ended up 55th on the Guardian's list of 'The 100 best footballers in the world' in 2015.

2.Ivan Rakitić

Rakitić making the most of an opportunity

The Swiss-born Croatian international started his career with FC Basel and then moving on to Schalke. However, his breakthrough came while at Sevilla, with him captaining Los Nervionenses to the Europa Club title in 2013. He came to Barcelona in 2014 and almost effortlessly stepped into Xavi's shoes following his departure in 2015. He is a vital cog in ensuring Barca's fluency in the midfield with his confident passing making life much easier for the likes of Messi and Suarez. The Croatian is nicknamed Rocketic for his much-celebrated net-busters from outside the D.

He has been instrumental in Croatia securing qualification to major tournaments in recent times and is the linchpin in a highly rated midfield. In spite of a string of poor performances for the Blaugrana this season, we can expect much more from the soft-spoken maestro in the coming years. Rakitić could be in the thick of things for Croatia at this year's FIFA World cup, with his country all set to take on Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D.

#1 Luka Modrić

Modric at work

No doubts regarding this one, at least for now! The Magician is like bottled wine, miraculously getting better with age. That he is the mastermind behind the Madrid midfield at the age of 32 is an apt pointer to this. Having had stints at Zagreb and Tottenham, he moved to Madrid in 2010 and has evolved into one of the finest all-round attacking centres in world football.

He is both the defensive shield as well as the supply line in Madrid's 3 man midfield, effectively linking the defensive and the forward positioned attacking midfield.In the past Madrid had tried to include more attacking players in its mid and therefore had often ended up compromising the possession and defensive organization. However, Modric's selfless game and his willingness to concentrate more on the defensive side has taken Los Blancos to the next level.

Making his presence felt at the international level since 2006, he has played in every major tournament Croatia has qualified for since then.He made it to the team of the year at the 2008 Euros and reciprocated the feat by finding himself in the FIFA World XI in 2016, thereby becoming the first Croatian to achieve the celebrated accomplishment. Deservedly he captains a talent-rich Croatian side into the incoming World Cup.