Your search for the Best Defensive Midfielders in 2025 ends here. Defensive midfield is one of the most underrated positions out there in football, as it's a rare position that's linked to both defense and attack. The players in these positions are arguably the most important members of a side, although most of the spotlight ends up going to the forwards or wingers. This list by us features the Best midfielders right now in central defense. Let's not delay any further then scroll below to find our pick of the Best defensive midfielders in the world right now.
Best defensive midfielders in the world in 2025
Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
The fact that Liverpool were ready to pay a British record transfer fee to Brighton for Moises Caicedo was a testament to the fact there was always a top player in him. After choosing Chelsea over the Reds, Caicedo initially struggled at Chelsea and was quickly labelled by most fans as a flop signing. Fast forward to the present, Caicedo has become arguably the most important player in Enzo Maresca's Chelsea side. He has put up several Man of the Match performances for the club in the past year, and he is only going to get better.
Rodri (Manchester City)
Things aren't looking that great for Rodri ever since returning from his ACL injury that took him out of Manchester City's entire season and saw Pep Guardiola's side crash down back to earth.
He has been constantly getting reinjured again and again. However, what cannot be denied is that when fit and running, he is arguably the best Defensive Midfielder in the World. If Manchester City are to dominate the Premier League and Champions League again, they better pray that Rodri is back to his best fitness levels.
João Neves (PSG)
PSG's signing of João Neves from Benfica will undoubtedly go down as one of the best in their history. Neves already had a huge reputation at Benfica, and most football fans believed that it was only a matter of when in regards to a top European club coming for him. The shocking fact though, is how extraordinary he has been at PSG. Neves has exceeded all expectations at Paris, it's quite scary to think that he is only 21 years old. If things continue at this rate, a legendary Midfielder career is undoubtedly bound to happen.
Vitinha (PSG)
PSG also boast of yet another player who's one of the best Defensive Midfielders in the world in 2025, and that is none other than Vitinha. He was nothing short of mesmerizing in the 2024-2025 football season, and some fans and pundits were even of the opinion that Vitinha deserved the 2025 Ballon d'Or over his teammate and eventual winner Ousmane Dembele. From struggling to impress in a Premier League club like Wolves to now becoming the controller of PSG's Champions League Winning midfield, Vitinha is nothing less than an inspiration.
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Liverpool took quite a gamble when they purchased Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, as the Dutch midfielder failed to fulfill his immense potential at the German club. The gamble has now turned into a masterstroke, as he has now become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Arne Slot's decision to turn Gravenberch into a defensive midfielder will forever be remembered as one of his finest ever tactical tweaks, and one that has led to Gravenberch rediscovering the true special footballer in him. Liverpool are a whole different side with him, and he is arguably their most important player right now.
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