10 Best Midfielders in La Liga Right Now | Ranked

The Spanish top-division football league, La Liga, has always produced some of the best midfielders in history. From Andres Iniesta to Xabi Alonso, from Xavi Hernandez to David Silva, all these players have lit up the nation’s top flight. Following in their footsteps, the recent crop of talented playmakers is also making headlines through their dazzling performances and even establishing themselves as some of the best midfielders to have graced La Liga currently.

The current list of the greatest midfielders in the Spanish top flight has some of the generational talents like Jude Bellingham, Gavi, Pedri, and several more, who have single-handedly carried their clubs’ batons in major tournaments. We all know by now how important midfielders are in the game of football, as they act as a bridge between the defense and the attack. They do not fall back to add more support to the backline, but also craft offense for the forwards to capitalize on. As such, now that the season has ended, we have decided to recapitulate and look at the top 10 best midfielders in La Liga 2025, who have proven their mettle week in and week out on the pitch.

There are many talented playmakers currently operating in La Liga for some of the major clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao. To pick the top 10 best midfielders in La Liga currently, we have focused on some criteria like the overall impact on the game, the number of games they are playing in and their consistency.

Ranking Factors

Number of games: The primary factor considered while ranking the best midfielders in La Liga right now is, number of matches any player has played in the Spanish first division. The more the number of games under the player’s belt, the easier it is to break down his game on an average basis.

Consistency: The second parameter considered while ranking the best midfielders in LaLiga 2025 is to look at their consistent performance, which is important. A player might be absolutely sublime in one match but then fizzle out for the next few games. In that scenario, his ranking is certainly going to dip.

Overall Impact on the Game: The last ranking factor we considered while compiling this list of the top 10 best midfielders in La Liga 2025 is the overall impact a player has on the game. If a player makes contributions and brings about a change in the game for the better for his team, he is surely going to be rewarded for his accomplishments, thus placed higher in the rankings.

List of Best Midfielders in La Liga 2025

The year 2025 was an exciting year for all the midfielders in LaLiga. There was intense action for midfield dominance, and some of the big stars rose to the occasion to take control. With Spanish football focusing more on possession and “tiki-taka” style of play, the midfield becomes an epicentre for the game.It serves as a crucial juncture between the attack and defense. Midfielders as a result, have to be prudent in picking up the pace for attack and also hold it firm in the backline by assisting the defense.So here’s a glance at the midfielders who made things happen for their team in this season’s LaLiga.

Top 10 Best Midfielders in La Liga 2025

The year 2025 saw some brilliant play in the midfield of the LaLiga. The Spanish elite league is well known for its depth in the midfield region. Midfielders are like the oil in the machine, who keep the game flowing and in the Spanish league, they are even more indispensable because of the “tiki taka” style of play. Just like the Brazilian league, the Spanish leagues focus more on passes and possession rather than power football like their German and English counterparts. So here’s our list of the very best gracing the midfield in Spain.

10. Pablo Barrios ( Atletico Madrid)

The first name on this list is none other than Pablo Barrios, a Madrid-born player who is proving to be instrumental for Atletico Madrid. Surprisingly enough, Barrios was formerly a youth product of Real Madrid before joining their city rivals, Atletico, in 2017 and has not looked back since then. The 21-year-old has now become a regular in Diego Simeone’s line-up and has made 31 appearances this season. In those 31 appearances, he has scored one goal and made four assists in La Liga.

He has been a workhorse in the central midfielder role and as such, the team has relied on him heavily to stifle attacks as well as create goal-scoring chances. His work rate and ethic have been noticed by the Atletico management and as such, they have renewed his contract till 2030.

9. Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)

The success of Argentina in international football in recent years has seen them lift the FIFA World Cup 2022 and two consecutive Copa America titles. Rodrigo De Paul has been a pillar of confidence and strength, additionally, he is one of the best midfielders in La Liga right now. Widely popular for his defensive awareness and leadership quality, the Argentine playmaker operates in the heart of the Atletico Madrid midfield like an ever-aware machine. For the last few years, he has taken himself to the league of the best midfielder in La Liga this season.

The Argentine midfielder has helped his team by being a solid midfielder at the center of the play, whether it’s retaining possession or making retrievals. Rodrigo De Paul has done a tremendous job for his team. De Paul has scored 3 goals and provided 4 assists this season. He has been a consistent player for Diego Simeone. Numbers show that he is a team player and will do everything possible to make his team win.

8. Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

The Real Sociedad midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, is our eighth pick on the list of the best Spanish midfielders currently in La Liga. The 26-year-old playmaker has even drawn comparisons to Sergio Busquets because of his versatility on the pitch. His maturity on the pitch and calm and composed demeanour have proved to be an asset on the pitch.

Zubimendi has established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga right now, playing deep in the field as an influential playmaker for Real Sociedad. Once unknown, the Spanish midfielder is now leading his club’s charge in La Liga and has already been pivotal in the Spanish club’s entry in the UEFA Champions League. His recent performances in Spain have attracted the eyes of several top European clubs, including Manchester City and Barcelona.

Martin Zubimendi, who is linked with clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, plays a very pivotal role in Real Sociedad’s team. Due to his performance, the Spanish side has finished the season in 11th position this year. With average touches of 67 per game, Zubimendi has outclassed some of the big names in the league. He has provided one assist and found the back of the net twice. Due to his impressive performances in both Real Sociedad and the National side, he is attracting interest from several clubs.

7. Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid)

A product of the Chelsea youth academy, Conor Gallagher has found a home in Madrid under the tutelage of Diego Simeone. The 25-year-old from Epsom, Surrey, Gallagher is a box-to-box player who is flexible in both attack and defense. The 25-year-old doesn’t shy away from making tough challenges as and when required and can also dictate the game in attacking play.

Legendary footballer Patrick Viera has also showered high praise on the midfielder. Viera has likened his playing style to that of former footballers Ray Parlour and Frank Lampard, one of his football idols. Gallagher, who has signed a five-year contract with the club, is expected to stay till 2029, which is truly reassuring for the club fans.

6. Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)

One of the best midfielders coming out of the famous Barcelona academy, La Masia, Fermin Lopez is the prized jewel of the Catalan outfit. The Spanish playmaker’s ability to operate as a creative playmaker who loves to play up top, combining with forwards to create goal-scoring chances, makes him the most sought-after player in Spain and the world at the moment. The attacking midfielder role makes him the curator of Barcelona’s attack in some of the games. Some culers say that he can play and create better chances than Dani Olmo, making him one of the best midfielders in La Liga right now.

Fermin Lopez has been used as a rotational player this season by Hansi Flick to manage the workload of other players. The Catalan player has started in only 10 games this season, scored 6 goals and provided 5 assists for the team. Not only in attack, Lopez likes to come back to his half and recover the ball from opponents (5.26 balls recovered per game) as an attacking midfielder, which makes him one of the selected few players who do so.

5. Alex Baena (Villarreal)

One of the few players on the list who has been a menace to the opposing defenders, like Alex Baena in the Spanish top division. Touted as the new “Assist King” of football, Baena has a habit of making defense-splitting passes that somehow always find their way to his striking partners.

His dribbling skill and ball control also make him deadly in front of the goal. As such, he is also adept at finishing and has ended the season with 7 goals to his name. Working his way through the youth ranks, he joined the senior team in 2020. So far, the Roquetas de Mar-born has made 108 appearances for the club. However, it looks like this will be the last year for Baena at the Estadio De La Ceramica as he seems to be on his way to LaLiga rival club Atletico Madrid.

4. Oihan Sancet (Athletic Bilbao)

The former Osasuna young prospect, Oihan Sancet, is just at the peak of his career; his current goal-scoring form that sees him feature in the La Liga leaderboard speaks volumes. Not only has he been one of the best midfielders in La Liga right now, but he has also been the face of Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish top flight this season. Rising through the ranks of Bilbao Athletic, Sancet found the breakthrough, thanks to his multitude of positions on the front line.

Oihan Sancet has scored 15 goals this season, which is a very good number when it comes to a midfielder. Sancet finished the 2024/25 season in 8th position when just behind Raphinha and Julian Alvarez. Sancet is an attacking midfielder who loves to play on the right. The Athletic Club player has outperformed his xG of 9.34 this season, making him the most important piece of the team.

3. Dani Olmo (Barcelona)

Dani Olmo joined Barcelona after spending four years playing in the Bundesliga from 2020-2024. Olmo’s presence has added that much-needed variety and depth to the Catalan side as he is versatile. Whether you put him in the midfield or upfront in attack, he does his job to perfection. Hansi Flick has also used him in this false line role time and again.

The fact that Olmo’s talents have shone through in a talent-laden Barca midfield speaks volumes about his caliber as a player. With 10 goals and 3 assists this season, the 27-year-old has made quite a claim in the midfield position.

2. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Despite a trophy-less season for the Los Blancos the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield, Jude Bellingham, is our pick for the No.2 spot for best midfielders in La Liga right now. During his transfer from Borussia Dortmund to the Spanish champions, many people questioned his ability to fulfill the expectations placed upon him at Santiago Bernabeu. The English playmaker sent his critics packing after lifting the Player of the Season award in the 2023-24 La Liga season, having recorded 17 goals.

His ability to play football at his best for 90 minutes makes him different from other midfielders, where other midfielders get drained in energy, Jude Bellingham performs with the same energy that he had in the starting minutes of the game. Jude Bellingham has scored 8 important goals for Real Madrid this season, out of which many were scored from outside the box. He has also provided 8 assists in 31 appearances this season.

1. Pedri (Barcelona)

The centre force of the current Barcelona midfield, Pedri, has already demonstrated his skills and strength on turf in every major tournament the Spanish giants have participated in. He has been the best midfielder in LaLiga this season, hands down. His composure, dribbling skills and eye for finding out forwards on the move have already earned him status like Xavi and Iniesta. The Spanish sensation was awarded the 2021 Golden Boy trophy for his outstanding contribution to club and International football. It was courtesy of his sublime performances that Barcelona won the treble in the Spanish domestic tournaments ( LaLiga, Copa Del Rey and Supercopa de España)

At this current time, he is one of the best midfielders in the world, beating all others in this role. Pedri single-handedly controls the whole game. If we see the touches per game, we will be shocked, which is around 96.6. Unfortunately, Pedri has less numbers of assists (4) than his xA, which is 8.43. Pedri has also scored 4 goals this season for his team, FC Barcelona, making him one of the best midfielders in LaLiga 2025.