Score90 ranks Rodri first, Kanté third in top 15 defensive midfielders of 21st century

autty

Published 2026-08-21 11:53:34

Score90 has selected the top 15 defensive midfielders in world football of the 21st century, with Rodri ranking first, Busquets second, Kanté third, Makelele fourth, and Alonso fifth, while Casemiro ranks sixth.

Score90's top 15 defensive midfielders of the 21st century

1-Rodri (Spain)

2-Busquets (Spain)

3-Kanté (France)

4-Makelele (France)

5-Alonso (Spain)

6-Casemiro (Brazil)

7-Kimmich (Germany)

8-Mascherano (Argentina)

9-Fernandinho (Brazil)

10-Cambiasso (Argentina)

11-Gattuso (Italy)

12-De Rossi (Italy)

13-Carrick (England)

14-Emerson (Brazil)

15-Fabinho (Brazil)

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All Comments (176)

💬 Latest

Meeikmpuz

Today 04:29

BOUSQUET AND MICHEL ESSIEN 1RST AND SECOND

Totoolee22

Today 04:09

so Roy Keane is a joke to u guys

baubcmotyz

Today 03:57

How about the Sniper? Toni Kroos

Jomacdkor

Today 02:59

Rodri not sure it's fake

Bepcdklnoz

Today 02:55

total bulshit when did Rodri came to sport light

Abatism

Today 02:33

Whoever did the ranking either with computer or human analysis must be dreaming or seeing something else. How can you compare Kante with Rodri? Even some still believe Messi should have won the Workd Cup MVP. Whereas, Kante has proved his lethargic performance for years in both clubs and country. Rodri is fantastic, no doubt. But the rating above Kante is questionable. What a joke!

Rangarirayi

Today 02:27

bullshit

Darmeji

Today 02:11

All this position number I don’t understand,is this not 4 as a defensive midfielder why are they calling it 6 ??🤷‍♂️🤔

wenbimnpt

Today 02:09

what's the criteria used

yotcinorst

Today 01:55

so mikel wasn't good enough to make this list right? nonsense

Buadipst

Today 01:43

So long as Busquets is not first, everything after is possibly also incorrectly ranked. Safe to ignore this list.

Zukdklotyz

Today 01:33

Thomas partey is better than all of them they didn't acknowledge him because he is from Africa and didn't play for European nation

Wezbdioru

Today 00:39

I totally disagree with a ranking.

Wupeiluz

Today 00:35

Kante bossed the midfield in a champions league final while Rodri was on the pitch.

Lebbklmtyz

Today 00:33

In the end both 1 and 2 represent Barca that’s how big Barca is

michaelkhongsai

Today 00:29

Busquets was, is and will always be the greatest Defensive midfielder in the world. No one come close to him.

pieaciuz

Today 00:21

the position is called the makalele position that tells u all u need to know Rodri is no where as good as they are making out to be in every team he plays in they are players around him that does more but dont get the mention fifa needed a poster boy and a steeler so they choose him to rob vinni then to rob best player at the world cup players were there who score more goals and assist not a messi fan but he did much more than him Rodri was not directly involve in spain goals he did no score so how can he be thest at the world cup plus the best midfielder of 30 century kmt

AFerMIQF0209

Today 00:17

Kante should be in number 1 please 🤗

Punanoyz

Today 00:13

where is Michael Essian of Chelsea

Mecaeikmty

Yesterday 23:17

what of pirlo

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