Attacking midfielders: Bellingham, Wirtz, more

Mischief, creativity, gait and confidence: These are the banal tools of the champion attacking midfielders. Sometimes referred to arsenic the No. 10, these guys are arsenic comfy scoring the goals arsenic they are teeing up teammates. With escaped rein to drift astir the transportation and exploit the space, their quality to conjure thing from thing makes them the astir entertaining players around.

All stats provided by ESPN Research, each ages and teams close arsenic of June 1.

The 2024-25 FC 100, presumption by position

Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Center forwards

15. Thiago ALMADA, Lyon/Argentina, 24

What makes him special: Diminutive Argentine playmakers person the unfortunate load of being compared to a definite Miami-based maestro, but Almada is integral to Argentina's post-Messi epoch successful his ain right.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Completed 47 crosses successful Ligue 1 this season, down lone Rayan Cherki for the astir connected Lyon since arriving astatine the nine successful January.

Why he's connected the list: The Messi comparisons are inevitable, arsenic it's thing each emerging Argentine forwards shoulder. But erstwhile Lyon announced his indebtedness from Botafogo successful January, they adjacent utilized immoderate Messi stardust to unveil Almada. The subordinate received a fake substance connection from "Lionel" telling him to disregard Cristiano Ronaldo's comments that the Saudi Pro League is amended than Ligue 1 -- immoderate introduction. And each this portion Lyon were meant to beryllium nether a transportation embargo. (Botafogo and Lyon are sister clubs nether Eagle Football Holdings, truthful helium went implicit connected a escaped loan.)

It's just to accidental his accomplishment successful 1 of the culinary capitals of the satellite irked immoderate of Lyon's rivals, but Almada has glided done the noise. He already has a World Cup to his name, and has helped Argentina suffice for the 2026 edition. He had to enactment his mode into the Lyon squad disconnected the bench, but his magic feet helped instrumentality them to the Europa League quarterfinals (where they were undone by Harry Maguire's granite head) and lifted them into the apical fractional of Ligue 1.

What helium says: "Obviously, each subordinate makes their ain career, their ain life, and Messi is simply a large example. For me, my main idol was ever [Juan Román] Riquelme."

What they say: "He has large qualities, plays good betwixt the lines, is intelligent and has made immoderate precise bully substitutions truthful far. He deserves to start; helium volition beryllium an important subordinate for the future. He is an attacking subordinate but helium works hard successful defense." -- Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca

What's next: Almada's indebtedness expires connected June 30. When Botafogo signed him from Atlanta United successful July 2024 for $21 cardinal (with different $9m successful add-ons), it was connected a woody done 2029, truthful it remains to beryllium seen what Almada's adjacent steps look like. You tin spot him backmost astatine Lyon for the commencement of adjacent play successful 1 mode oregon another, particularly if the nine offloads playmaker Cherki this summer. -- Tom Hamilton

14. Oihan SANCET, Athletic Club/Spain, 25

What makes him special: At 25 years old, helium already has 3 LaLiga chapeau tricks to his sanction and has enjoyed the champion play of his career, people starring to plentifulness of involvement from the Premier League.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Tied for 4th astir successful LaLiga with 9 result-changing goals.

Why he's connected the list: It's nary coincidence that Athletic Club slumped truthful alarmingly against Manchester United successful the Europa League with Sancet absent owed to a hamstring injury. He has been 1 of the standout players successful LaLiga this season, and the heartbeat of this Athletic side. He's 3rd for goals per lucifer this word successful LaLiga (behind Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski), adjacent though it hasn't been a straightforward play for the attacking midfielder.

Playing done persistent ankle occupation each play long, Sancet tin play successful some the No. 8 and No. 10 roles, and has the quality to glide done matches, uncovering the close clip to onshore a slayer blow. At 6-foot-2, he's hardly inconspicuous, but helium has slotted into the mediate of Athletic's onslaught with ease, dovetailing wonderfully with Iñaki and Nico Williams.

What helium says: "One, two, three, 3 goals and 3 points." -- Sancet, successful Basque, aft his chapeau instrumentality for Athletic against Girona successful February

What they say: "He's making a large effort, due to the fact that helium has a occupation with his ankle, and he's playing with a grade of pain. Even so, well, he's performing astatine a apical level and we expect a batch from him." -- Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde

What's next: He has been linked with conscionable astir each big-spending Premier League nine this season, with his merchandise clause reportedly astatine €80 million. He's nether declaration done 2032, truthful a nine volition person to wage the afloat magnitude to pry him distant from the Basque side. -- Tom Hamilton

13. Eberechi EZE, Crystal Palace/England, 26

What makes him special: Cage footballer turned southbound London baller, Eze was instrumental successful Palace's tally to the 2024-25 FA Cup, the club's first-ever large trophy.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Scored 4 goals successful the FA Cup, the astir by a Premier League subordinate and tied for 2nd astir by immoderate player.

Why he's connected the list: There were times erstwhile it appeared Eze would ne'er rather present connected his imaginable arsenic injuries took their toll. But now, aged 26, the England planetary is hitting his stride. Used arsenic a winger and a cardinal midfielder, helium appears to person recovered his location arsenic a left-sided No. 10, displaying a clever oculus for a walk and a dazzling dribbling quality that marque him a nightmare for defenders.

Eze has registered 14 goals and 12 assists successful each competitions for Palace this season, with the run ranking arsenic his astir prolific by immoderate distance. Always consenting to effort his luck from distance, Eze has benefitted from persistent encouragement to explicit himself much freely and astir everything bully Palace bash successful possession present goes done him.

What helium says: "I judge this acquisition I've got, it comes from God. So there's a work to grant it, to support going, and to marque the astir of it. I spot that adjacent erstwhile things are difficult, it's each portion of the journey. Life's astir riding those waves and trusting that amended days are ahead."

What they say: "Who's a amended subordinate than Eze? For me, he's perfectly top. ... He's ever unsafe due to the fact that helium has the prime and quality [one-on-one], he's specified an unbelievable finisher, successful immoderate situations helium tin improve, he's a feline who tin ever people and he's idiosyncratic who everyone likes." -- Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner

What's next: Crystal Palace look a conflict to support Eze astatine the nine this summer. He has a £60 cardinal merchandise clause successful his contract, which has 2 years near to run. -- James Olley

12. Morgan ROGERS, Aston Villa/England, 22

What makes him special: Rogers has it each -- youth, power, intensity, skills, hunger, energy, assurance -- and is conscionable getting started.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: His 14 goals this play successful each competitions was the 2nd astir by immoderate subordinate connected a Premier League nine property 22 oregon younger (Cole Palmer, 15).

Why he's connected the list: Nobody could person predicted that Rogers would marque this database astatine the commencement of the play successful August. Not adjacent the astir optimistic Aston Villa instrumentality could person guessed that their 22-year-old guardant would person this season. He has been Villa's champion and astir accordant player, the biggest revelation of their Premier League season, and helium adjacent celebrated his England debut backmost successful November arsenic the Three Lions thrashed Greece.

After six months to settee and recognize the requirements of the English apical flight, manager Unai Emery and Villa aft his determination from Middlesbrough successful January 2024, helium has taken his crippled to different level. Whether helium plays arsenic a 2nd striker, connected his ain up front, wide connected the close (the astir often) oregon connected the left, helium has been truthful good. Rogers is inactive a spot earthy and his decision-making needs to improve, but Aston Villa person a gem connected their books.

What helium says: "I person travel a agelong mode successful presumption of my improvement but I cognize determination is inactive betterment to beryllium made. I conscionable privation to amended ever and get better, and Unai Emery is the cleanable idiosyncratic for that."

What they say: "He has got the satellite astatine his feet. He ever wants to enactment and has the quality to instrumentality radical on. I americium not going to large him up excessively overmuch arsenic I don't privation his caput getting excessively big, but he's got it all." -- Aston Villa teammate Ollie Watkins

What's next: Rogers already played the astir minutes this run for a Villa outfield subordinate due to the fact that helium was specified a cardinal subordinate for Emery, and helium volition beryllium adjacent much indispensable adjacent season. Expect much goals, much assists and much differences made successful the Premier League -- and much England minutes, too. -- Julien Laurens

11. Scott McTOMINAY, Napoli/Scotland, 28

What makes him special: Work complaint and vigor to spell with his undoubted endowment arsenic a goal-scoring midfielder, helium has maximized his imaginable since moving to Serie A.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Scored 12 Serie A goals, the astir among midfielders.

Why he's connected the list: It feels similar McTominay is yet being appreciated. After coming done Manchester United's academy, helium had begun to gain a estimation arsenic a squad subordinate and a inferior man. But implicit the past 2 years, helium has enactment each that to bed. His goals from midfield were cardinal to guiding Scotland to Euro 2024 and past season, contempt not ever starting, helium scored 10 goals for Erik 10 Hag's United.

With the nine nether unit due to the fact that of nett and sustainability rules, helium was allowed to permission for Napoli past summertime contempt Ten Hag's protests. Now successful Naples, his banal has risen adjacent further aft playing a cardinal relation connected Antonio Conte's squad to assertion the Serie A title. His 12 league goals this play -- galore of them crucial, including the title-clincher against Cagliari -- helped gain him the league's MVP grant and cult-hero status among the fans.

What helium says: "When I got into the archetypal team, I was rather misprofiled successful wherever I was playing. It wasn't the responsibility of immoderate coaches. My strengths person ever been getting into the box, scoring goals, being a occupation successful there. But I was being utilized arsenic a No. 6, oregon arsenic a halfway back, and that has ne'er truly been my game."

What they say: "Scott is simply a implicit player, versatile, who tin play down the striker, helium tin play successful a three-man midfield, play successful a two-man midfield oregon adjacent wide successful a 5-4-1 with licence to attack." -- Conte

What's next: After thriving successful his archetypal twelvemonth successful Italy, McTominay volition people pull involvement from Premier League clubs looking to bring him backmost to England. That said, helium has shown nary signs of being unsettled astatine Napoli, and they volition beryllium hopeless to support him. -- Rob Dawson

10. ISCO, Real Betis/Spain, 33

What makes him special: Isco's renaissance astatine Real Betis is simply a singular story, arsenic he's gone from the despair of being without a nine to rediscovering his champion signifier arsenic a game-changing playmaker.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Led Real Betis with 17 extremity contributions successful LaLiga -- nary different subordinate connected the squad had much than 11.

Why he's connected the list: In a sense, Isco has had 3 careers. There was the 1 erstwhile helium was signed by Real Madrid successful 2013 and was regarded arsenic 1 of the astir breathtaking playmakers successful satellite football. Then came a tally of injuries and problems with form, and his minutes fell away. He ended up astatine Sevilla successful 2022 connected a escaped transportation earlier being released successful December that year. He spent 7 months successful the wilderness earlier Real Betis picked him up successful July 2023, wherever helium has since flourished.

Last season, helium looked to beryllium connected the verge of a Spain callback earlier suffering a breached limb successful May, ruling him retired of the Euros. Further complications meant helium returned to lucifer enactment lone successful December. Since then, helium has chipped successful with 12 goals and 9 assists for Los Verdiblancos and has helped usher them to the UEFA Europa Conference League final. The astonishing thing: At property 33, he's wide perceived to beryllium playing the champion shot of his career.

What helium says: "I'm similar a small kid astatine Disneyland now."

What they say: "I deliberation Isco is the champion teammate I person had successful my career. He is astatine different level. We are fortunate to person a subordinate similar him astatine Betis. I anticipation helium returns to the nationalist team, but the astir important happening is that with his level helium leads america to execute our objectives with Betis." -- Real Betis teammate Cédric Bakambu

What's next: Isco's renaissance should proceed astatine Real Betis, arsenic his declaration runs done 2027. Having already endured truthful overmuch successful his career, he'll beryllium targeting nationalist honors and further advancement with Real Betis. -- Tom Hamilton

9. Morgan GIBBS-WHITE, Nottingham Forest/England, 25

What makes him special: A classical old-school midfielder who tin tackle, get box-to-box, make and people goals.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Led Nottingham Forest with 51 chances created successful the Premier League.

Why he's connected the list: Forest shocked English shot erstwhile they signed Gibbs-White from Wolves successful a £25m transportation -- with £17m successful add-ons -- successful the summertime of 2022. At the time, Gibbs-White had conscionable completed a seasonlong indebtedness astatine Sheffield United successful the Championship, making this look similar a immense interest for a subordinate without sustained Premier League experience, but the woody has since looked similar a bargain. The 25-year-old's signifier connected some sides of the shot for Forest arsenic they wrapped up seventh place, and a spot successful adjacent season's UEFA Europa Conference League, earned him an England call-up arsenic bigger things beckon for the fashion-loving playmaker.

What helium says: "It's conscionable been unthinkable [this season] ... we've been winning games location and away. I conscionable truly embraced this play of conscionable playing shot week in, week out."

What they say: "If helium wants to spell to a World Cup he'll astir apt judge that [England manager] Thomas Tuchel wants him successful a Champions League team, either successful England oregon Europe somewhere" -- former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge

What's next: Even though Forest person a European run to look guardant to adjacent season, they look a pugnacious conflict to support him astatine the club. Manchester City's involvement is strong, with the nine looking to rebuild an aging midfield, and different apical sides volition beryllium monitoring the situation. He has plentifulness of options to consider, and he'll besides privation to beryllium playing regularly successful bid to unafraid a spot successful England's World Cup squad. -- Mark Ogden

8. Xavi SIMONS, RB Leipzig/Netherlands, 22

What makes him special: He's adjacent parts scorer and facilitator, helium tin play connected the near oregon right, he's already made astir 30 nationalist squad appearances, and helium conscionable turned 22 successful April.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): 16

One cardinal stat: Led RB Leipzig with 7 assists successful the Bundesliga.

Why he's connected the list: When RB Leipzig mislaid Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool, the nine looked to Simons to capable the gap. First connected loan, and past connected a imperishable deal, helium has done truthful with aplomb. In 2 seasons successful Leipzig, helium has combined for 21 goals with 21 assists successful each competitions. His finishing is good supra average, and portion injuries constricted him to 70% of Leipzig's league minutes successful 2024-25, helium inactive finished archetypal connected the squad successful assists (seven), archetypal successful progressive carries (222) and archetypal successful duels (305).

RBL was disappointing this season, but that had thing to bash with Simons' enactment -- if they did thing bully whatsoever, helium was astir apt down it.

What helium says: "If you were to inquire maine [what helium prefers, goals oregon assists] years ago, I would accidental providing assists. But nowadays I would accidental scoring goals. Just due to the fact that erstwhile you score, the adrenaline unreserved you get is conscionable different. So I would accidental scoring goals."

What they say: "He wants to beryllium a cardinal player, helium wants to beryllium a person for him to marque the adjacent step. And afterwards, yeah, everything is imaginable for him. He embodies what we arsenic a nine are: nary limits, [and] we tin scope everything. We effort to scope the maximum arsenic a squad with each our players and of people with Xavi arsenic a cardinal subordinate successful our offensive." -- RB Leipzig managing manager for athletics Marcel Schäfer

What's next: Simons made his Leipzig determination imperishable lone successful January, but pursuing the Red Bull club's mediocre Bundesliga run -- for the archetypal clip successful 9 years, they won't beryllium playing successful a European contention adjacent play -- helium could beryllium moving connected already. All the large English clubs (and Bayern) volition beryllium interested. -- Bill Connelly

7. Dominik SZOBOSZLAI, Liverpool/Hungary, 24

What makes him special: He is Liverpool's Mr. Relentless, with his vigor and creativity proving indispensable to the Reds' rubric march this season.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Tied for second-most Premier League assists by a Liverpool subordinate with six.

Why he's connected the list: When Liverpool failed to suffice for the Champions League successful 2023, the deficiency of vigor and dynamism successful midfield were among the cardinal reasons why. Szoboszlai was brought successful that aforesaid summertime arsenic portion of the Reds' midfield rebuild and successful his 2nd play successful England, helium has shown precisely wherefore the nine identified him arsenic 1 of their main targets. If Alexis Mac Allister is the heartbeat of Liverpool's midfield, past Szoboszlai is the engine. His tenacity and moving powerfulness is astatine the bosom of however Slot's broadside plays. Szoboszlai has besides shown a willingness to play successful either a deeper oregon much precocious relation successful bid to assistance the team, adding six goals and six league assists connected their mode to winning the Premier League.

What helium says: "I would accidental this is the happiest I person been successful my vocation truthful far, connected and disconnected the pitch. I deliberation there's adjacent much successful maine that's going to travel also."

What they say: "He's, successful my opinion, a spot underestimated -- not by maine -- but helium doesn't ever get the recognition for the information he's precise important for this squad due to the fact that his enactment complaint is unbelievable. He conscionable keeps connected moving with the highest strength and that is truthful important for a squad that wants to vie for something." -- Liverpool manager Arne Slot

What's next: At 24, Szoboszlai's champion years are inactive up of him. He has 8 goals and 9 assists successful each competitions this season, but his prime connected the shot means helium should beryllium aiming for treble figures successful some categories adjacent term. -- Beth Lindop

6. Bruno FERNANDES, Manchester United/Portugal, 30

What makes him special: Blessed with abundant tenacity, creativity and leadership, helium has been the lone bully happening astir Man United's season.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): 9

One cardinal stat: Scored oregon assisted 37% of Manchester United's goals successful each competitions (37 of 99).

Why he's connected the list: Fernandes has been Manchester United's astir important subordinate since arriving from Sporting CP successful 2020. This season, though, helium has gone supra and beyond. He's the lone United subordinate to travel retired of the play with immoderate credit. In possibly the club's worst squad successful decades, helium managed to people 19 goals and added 17 assists crossed each competitions. Only six players person recorded much than his 9 assists successful the Premier League this season.

Overall, it's frightening to deliberation wherever Ruben Amorim's squad would beryllium without him, and you tin marque a genuine lawsuit that they could person been successful relegation occupation if Fernandes hadn't made specified a large publication successful presumption of goals and assists. It's fortunate for Amorim that Fernandes ne'er seems to get injured. On apical of everything, Fernandes has shown awesome enactment during a hard campaign.

What helium says: "I bash things successful my ain way. Obviously not everything I bash everyone volition similar oregon deliberation successful the aforesaid way, and I respect everyone's opinion. I judge there's a batch of borderline for betterment successful my game, successful my enactment and everything I bash successful my life."

What they say: "We privation to triumph the Premier League again; we privation the champion players with us. He's inactive truthful young due to the fact that helium plays 55 games each season. Between assists and goals, he's determination for 30 astatine least. He's the subordinate we privation here." -- Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim

What's next: He is wanted successful Saudi Arabia, but United are adamant Fernandes is going nowhere. He signed a caller declaration astatine the commencement of the play and Amorim is readying to physique his squad astir the Portugal international. -- Rob Dawson

5. Cole PALMER, Chelsea/England, 23

What makes him special: A priceless escaped tone and Chelsea's undisputed star.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 11

One cardinal stat: Reached 50 vocation extremity contributions successful 48 Premier League games, the 4th fewest successful league history.

Why he's connected the list: Palmer is the kid wrong each of america ... if that kid is much talented than conscionable astir immoderate other. The 23-year-old has taken a dizzying way to the apical of the crippled with a level of composure that borders connected ambivalence disconnected the field. That laid-back, laconic Mancunian vibe lone adds to the charm, particularly erstwhile it is truthful intriguingly juxtaposed by his relentless quality to interaction the games helium plays in.

Palmer is the lone Premier League subordinate this play to make 50-plus open-play chances, triumph 50-plus fouls and implicit 50-plus take-ons. He's the poster lad of the caller Chelsea era, racking up goals and assists portion producing the dazzling moments of accomplishment and defense-splitting passes that are the worldly of YouTube compilation videos. He tin bash it each -- conscionable don't expect him to archer you however helium does it.

What helium says: "Off the pitch, I'm not truly the loudest guy. Maybe I don't accidental much. I'm beauteous chill. So sometimes erstwhile radical spot the mode I play, they're surprised. It's similar my existent property comes out. Like I'm free."

What they say: "Cole belongs to that radical that are not mean players. They are apical players and they bash things that mean players oregon us, we say, 'How tin helium bash that?' He scored due to the fact that he's top. We tin expect this from Cole." -- Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca

What's next: Palmer scored successful England's Euro 2024 last decision to Spain but was utilized lone arsenic a bit-part subordinate by erstwhile manager Gareth Southgate, making 5 substitute appearances. He volition expect to play a much salient relation nether Thomas Tuchel arsenic England effort to triumph the 2026 World Cup. -- James Olley

4. Martin ØDEGAARD, Arsenal/Norway, 26

What makes him special: Arsenal's creator and architect-in-chief, his signifier is the cardinal to their success.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): 3

One cardinal stat: Led Arsenal with 63 chances created successful the Premier League.

Why he's connected the list: Ødegaard has transformed his career, establishing himself arsenic a starring Premier League endowment aft struggling to unrecorded up to his immense imaginable arsenic a teen astatine Real Madrid. Those experiences arsenic a youngster -- playing for Norway astatine property 15, signing with Madrid astatine 16 -- helped springiness him a maturity and composure beyond his years erstwhile the shot yet came unneurotic nether Mikel Arteta astatine the Emirates. Quite simply, the Gunners are a little fluid and cohesive squad without their stylish playmaker pulling the strings. An ankle wounded affected the archetypal fractional of his play and possibly beyond that.

What helium says: "Whenever I pb the squad retired astatine the Emirates, I person this infinitesimal to myself. ... I adjacent my eyes, and I deliberation astir myself arsenic a kid retired connected the artificial transportation successful Drammen. If you'd person shown that kid a snapshot of this infinitesimal and told him this was successful his future? He would person died for this. It's been a hellhole of a agelong road, but I'm surviving my dream."

What they say: "On an aesthetic level, replacing Martin, however helium moves, however helium associates, if we privation to bash the aforesaid with different [player], it's not going to happen. I enactment him connected a pedestal. First, arsenic a person, due to the fact that helium is perfectly heavenly: however helium takes attraction of himself, however helium takes attraction of others, however helium behaves connected a day-to-day basis. He loves to play shot and we stock an thought of ​​how we privation to bash it." -- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

What's next: Winning silverware. Ødegaard is committed to Arsenal for the foreseeable aboriginal (the 3 years near connected his contract, for starters) and his information to assistance a trophy arsenic nine skipper has ne'er been higher. He volition besides anticipation to beryllium portion of lone the 4th squad successful Norway's past -- and the archetypal since 1998 -- to play astatine a World Cup adjacent summer. -- James Olley

3. Jamal MUSIALA, Bayern Munich/Germany, 22

What makes him special: Close power and imaginativeness acceptable him isolated from his peers, arsenic does his accomplishment successful possession

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): 12

Key stats: Scored 18 goals successful each competitions, 2nd astir among Bayern Munich players (Harry Kane, 33), and became the 4th subordinate successful Bundesliga past with 3 consecutive 10-goal seasons earlier property 22 (turned 22 successful February).

Why he's connected the list: Musiala scored the Bundesliga title-winning extremity astatine property 20, started each Euro 2024 lucifer for Germany astatine property 21. And though helium suffered his archetypal large wounded astatine property 22, missing the past 2 months of 2024-25 with a hamstring injury, his vocation trajectory has been connected a changeless rise. He has already topped 60 vocation goals and 30 assists successful each competitions and erstwhile healthy, his spot successful the starting lineup for some Bayern and Germany is written successful Sharpie.

Musiala combines high-level finishing -- his 61 vocation nine goals person travel from shots worthy conscionable 46.9 xG -- with astir intolerable dribbling abilities. Even with the injury, helium led the Bundesliga with 17 palmy 1-on-1s successful the container successful Bundesliga play, and helium was apical 10 successful goals (12) and fouls suffered (55) arsenic well. He is simply a unsocial and singular talent.

What helium says: "I consciousness similar determination is decidedly ... what's the word? I person much responsibilities. And I deliberation that's what each subordinate wants, right? Responsibility and that small spot of pressure. If you privation to beryllium a apical player, you request to woody with that. And that conscionable makes it truthful overmuch amusive erstwhile you person that pressure, erstwhile you person everyone watching you -- that's erstwhile I consciousness the best."

What they say: "He's an astonishing player. I've said earlier that he's got unbelievable talent. If helium keeps adding goals and assists to his game, past he's going to beryllium a truly frightening player." -- Kane

What's next: Musiala should beryllium steadfast capable to pb Bayern into enactment astatine this summer's Club World Cup, and his spot connected the nationalist squad hierarchy is unquestioned. For that matter, truthful is his leader -- helium signed a declaration hold with Bayern successful February. He has already played a relation successful 4 Bundesliga titles, and he'll beryllium 1 of the faces of the nine for a portion longer. -- Bill Connelly

2. Florian WIRTZ, Bayer Leverkusen/Germany, 22

What makes him special: Take your pick: He's a peculiar scorer, creator, winger, cardinal attacker ... you sanction it.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): 6

Key stats: Led Leverkusen with 22 extremity contributions successful Bundesliga, portion his 12 assists successful Bundesliga are 2nd astir down Michael Olise (15).

Why he's connected the list: Over the past 2 Bundesliga seasons, 15 players person scored much than 20 combined league goals, 11 person won much than 20 fouls successful the attacking third, 9 person provided much than 15 assists, 8 person created much than 125 chances and 7 person completed much than 550 progressive carries. But lone 1 subordinate has done all of those things.

Wirtz tin play connected the near wing, connected the close wing, arsenic a halfway guardant oregon arsenic an old-school No. 10, and successful 93 games successful each competitions implicit the past 2 seasons, helium has combined for 34 goals with 33 assists. He's a uniquely (and mind-blowingly) well-rounded talent, and helium turned 22 lone successful aboriginal May. The satellite is going to beryllium dealing with him for rather a while.

What helium says: "My coaches person ever fixed maine the state to alteration positions successful the crippled according to my ain interpretation. I springiness them recognition for that. I've ne'er had anyone telling maine wherever to stand, oregon that I shouldn't dribble truthful much."

What they say: "Flo conscionable does Flo things." -- Bayer Leverkusen teammate Lukas Hradecky

What's next: Yes, what is next, Florian? It appears progressively apt that Wirtz volition beryllium the taxable of a important bidding warfare this summer. Will Bayern financially agelong itself to an astir unprecedented level to guarantee that Wirtz doesn't permission for a mega-club abroad? Or volition Liverpool (club-record bid already lodged) oregon others outbid the German giants for specified a unsocial and overwhelming talent? If helium moves this summer, it volition beryllium the communicative of the transportation model and volition travel with rather the domino effect. -- Bill Connelly

1. Jude BELLINGHAM, Real Madrid/England, 21

What makes him special: Followed a 23-goal debut play by becoming 1 of Real Madrid's astir all-around influential players.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all midfielders): 2

Key stats: Had 4 games with a extremity and an assistance this play successful LaLiga, astir by immoderate subordinate successful the competition, and had the highest duel occurrence complaint (57%) of immoderate LaLiga subordinate with astatine slightest 15 extremity contributions (9 goals, 8 assists).

Why he's connected the list: At 21, Bellingham has already achieved much than astir players bash successful full careers. Last play saw him triumph a LaLiga and Champions League double, and play for England successful the last of a large tournament. The follow-up was ever going to beryllium tough: How bash you nutrient a satisfying sequel to 1 of the astir awesome debut campaigns successful LaLiga history? Yes, Bellingham's numbers are down successful 2024-25 -- it's 9 league goals this season, alternatively than 19 -- and he's often chopped a frustrated, bushed figure. But that's a merchandise of the team's corporate struggles much than thing and ex-coach Carlo Ancelotti's difficulties fitting Bellingham into the team. (Xabi Alonso's accomplishment arsenic manager should assistance presumption him for greater success.)

Bellingham's idiosyncratic performances, from a deeper presumption than successful 2023-24, person often been excellent. Only 5 LaLiga players -- Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Mbappé, Raphinha and Rodrygo -- person played much passes successful the last third. Only 3 players person attempted much done balls. And that's portion Bellingham has had to fulfill much antiaircraft duties, too, often taking up a wide presumption erstwhile Madrid don't person the ball. He has besides ne'er afloat recovered from the dislocated enarthrosis suffered successful 2023. In time, this play should travel to beryllium seen arsenic important successful his improvement into an adjacent amended player.

What helium says: "We've had games wherever we've been a spot underwhelming and we've inactive recovered a mode to triumph ... We've decidedly shown this twelvemonth that we're susceptible of doing thing special. I've got to beryllium assured successful the team, and that's thing to bash with history, it's to bash with the lads I spot each azygous time successful training."

What they say: "He's incredible, he's a large player. Playing present astatine Madrid with apical prime players is simply a pleasure." -- Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé

What's next: There's one, unresolved question astir Bellingham's summer: Will helium acquisition an cognition connected the enarthrosis helium dislocated successful 2023? He's worn strapping ever since, and astatine immoderate point, country mightiness beryllium inescapable. But helium won't privation to miss the Club World Cup oregon the commencement of adjacent season. -- Alex Kirkland

The 2024-25 FC 100, presumption by position

Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Center forwards