Playmakers are arguably the most important players in a football team. They turn defense into attack, control the tempo of the game, and create lots of goalscoring opportunities for their teams.
Some of the most essential attributes for a playmaker include passing, vision, grace, elegance, technique, balance, flair, poise, ball control, and the ability to score goals.
Playmakers are often confused with attacking midfielders, but attacking midfielders play in a specific position (No 10), while playmakers can play be from different positions; there are deep-lying playmakers, wide playmakers, “false number 9” or those playing a “free role”.
Also, some playmakers function in a central midfield role, alternating between playing in more offensive roles and participating in the build-up plays in the midfield.
Playmakers are not usually known for their defensive capabilities, which is why they are often supported by a defensive midfielder.
Some of the greatest players in the history of the round-leather game have been playmakers; as such, it is not easy to pick out the greatest ten ever.
In this article, TOP SOCCER BLOG presents you with the best playmakers in football history.
1. Diego Maradona
An advanced playmaker who operated in the classic number 10 position, Diego Maradona’s vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling skills were combined with his small stature, which gave him a low center of gravity and allowed him to maneuver better than most other players.
Maradona was a conventional playmaker known for operating in a flexible role. This involved playing as an attacking midfielder supporting the forwards or as a second striker in a front-two setup. Also, he occasionally functioned as an offensive-minded central midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation.
In addition to his creative abilities, he possessed an eye for goal and was known to be a free-kick specialist. He is considered one of the greatest dribblers in football history.
A precocious talent, Maradona was given the nickname El Pibe de Oro (“The Golden Boy”), a name that stuck with him throughout his career.
He was the only player to set world record transfer fees twice and is greatly adored at all the clubs that he played for.
But it was with his country, Argentina, that he was very much idolised.
Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups for Argentina, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he captained his country and led them to victory over West Germany in the final — as well as winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
2. Pelé
While predominantly a striker, Pelé could also drop deep and excel in a playmaking role, providing assists with his vision and passing ability. He would always use his dribbling skills to go past opponents.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Pelé was also one of the best playmakers in soccer history.
The Brazilian legend had exceptional vision and intelligence and was recognised for his precise passing and ability to link up with teammates as well as provide them with assists.
He also showcased his strong work ethic and teamwork, dropping deeper to start attacks and create goalscoring opportunities.
3. Lionel Messi
Like the two greats mentioned above, Lionel Messi is also majorly known for his goalscoring talents.
But his vision, range of passing, and ability to create goalscoring opportunities where seemingly none exist makes him a remarkable playmaker.
Messi’s pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual dribbling runs towards goal, particularly during counterattacks.
As his career advanced and his tendency to dribble diminished slightly with age, he began to dictate play in deeper areas of the pitch and developed into one of the best passers and playmakers in football history.
Moreover, Lionel Messi holds the record for the most assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa América (17). He is among the football players with the most assists in history.
4. Zinedine Zidane
A world-class offensive playmaker, Zinedine Zidane’s natural position was in a free role as a classic number 10 behind the striker.
He was renowned for his vision, passing, ball control, and technique. He possessed an exceptional first touch and was also known for his dribbling skills, use of feints, elegance on the ball, and creativity.
Zizou was capable of using either foot despite being naturally right-footed. His technique and coordination enabled him to execute shots and volleys with extreme power and precision — particularly from outside the penalty area.
5. Johan Cruyff
One of the most influential figures in modern football, Johan Cruyff, is one of the greatest players as well as managers of all time.
The ultimate orchestrator, the Dutchman was a creative playmaker with a gift for making timely passes.
Cruyff was known for his technical ability, speed, acceleration, dribbling, and vision. He possessed a unique awareness of his teammates’ positions as an attack unfolded.
6. Alfredo Di Stefano
Regarded as a powerful player, Alfredo Di Stefano was a potent, quick, skillful, and prolific goalscorer with great stamina, tactical versatility, creativity, and vision who could play almost anywhere on the pitch.
He is arguably one of the greatest dribblers ever to set foot on a pitch, which makes him a decent playmaker. He was highly proficient in using feints to get past defenders and create chances for his teammates.
Di Stefano is most renowned for his contributions to Real Madrid, playing a crucial role in the club’s European Cup and La Liga dominance throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Together with Francisco Gento and José María Zárraga, he stands as one of just three players to have been involved in all five European Cup triumphs, finding the net in each of the five final matches.
7. Michel Platini
Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row (1983, 1984, and 1985) and came 7th in the FIFA Player of the Century vote.
He was one of the finest passers in football history and one of the best-ever penalty kick and free-kick specialists to have played the game.
He also won a lot of individual awards in football.
Platini was a quick, versatile, elegant, and intelligent offensive midfield playmaker with a unique ability to read the game and bend the ball from set pieces.
He was renowned in particular for his ball control, technical ability, dribbling skills, creativity, range of passing, and vision.
Although he primarily played as a creative midfielder who operated in a more withdrawn playing role behind the strikers and who mainly orchestrated attacking plays, provided assists, or created chances for teammates, Platini could also find the back of the net and was a prolific goalscorer.
Due to his footballing intelligence, movement, and composure in front of goal, as well as his accurate finishing ability with either foot as his head.
In addition, despite being naturally right-footed, he was known for his ability to create attacking opportunities for himself by playing exchanges with his teammates until he was in a position from which he could receive the ball and score.
8. Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta was gifted with incredible balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, composure, flair on the ball, versatility, work ethic, and inventiveness.
He is regarded as one of the best passers in football history.
Also, he is highly regarded for his ability to read the game and his acceleration and close control at speed, which, combined with his low centre of gravity, rendered him one of the most skilled dribblers ever seen.
Despite not being particularly prolific in front of goal, Iniesta gained a reputation as a big-game player for club and country, assisting a goal in each of the 2009, 2011, and 2015 UEFA Champions League finals, as well as scoring the winner in the 2010 World Cup final.
Furthermore, he made vital contributions to the 2006 UEFA Champions League final, the 2008 Euro final, and the 2012 Euro final.
Andres Iniesta is the only footballer in history to have won the Man of the Match award in a World Cup, Euro, and Champions League final.
9. Andrea Pirlo
Considered one of the greatest midfielders in football history, Andrea Pirlo was well-known for his vision, ball control, technique, creativity, passing, and free-kick ability.
The typical example of a deep-lying playmaker, the Italian was a highly technical and creative player with mind-blowing vision and passing accuracy.
Pirlo was renowned for his composure in possession, technique, balance, elegance, close control, and dribbling ability, as well as his flair and creativity in beating players with feints during one-on-one situations to retain the ball and create space for himself to play and receive passes.
Moreso, his ability to anticipate plays also enabled him to cover ground in midfield and intercept passes despite his lack of pace, tackling ability, or stamina.
10. Cesc Fabregas
It would difficult to make a list to best playmakers in football history and leave out Cesc Fabregas.
He became one of the youngest captains in football history while he was at Arsenal, partly due to his superior playmaking skills.
Primarily operating as a playmaker and celebrated for his exceptional passing abilities, he was hailed as the leader of Arsenal’s main squad, contributing vision, creativity, and a natural grasp of timing and space to Arsenal’s complex passing strategy, demonstrating a maturity that defied his youth.
In most of the teams he played for, he had a playmaking role in midfield, using his technique, ball control, and vision to influence the pace of the game.
Although he frequently received support from defensive midfielders to afford him additional space and time on the ball, compensating for his declining speed and athleticism. This adjustment placed him in a deeper creative position.
Fabregas was a master at providing assists and setting up his teammates for goal with the slickest of touches.
Honourable Mentions:
- Zico
- Ronaldinho
- Dennis Bergkamp
- Michael Laudrup
- Socrates
- Xavi
- Luka Modric
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Lothar Matthaus
- Didi
- Juan Roman Riquelme.
