Ranking the 12 Best Number 8s in World Football Right Now (2025)

The number eight shirt is one that holds value in the elite status of football. It signifies that a player is traditionally a club’s main star in the middle of the park, breaking up chances, driving forward and providing a threat in the final third. Some of the best players of all time have worn it.

Currently, there are some of the best players on the planet right now who turn out for their club side draped in the number eight. They are key cogs in their teams’ systems, always providing an energetic spark in the middle of the park. Some of them are even considered Ballon d’Or contenders.

We have already ranked the best number nines in the world, but – as suggested – now it’s time for the number eights. Dreaming of greatness, they have to perform if they want to win the biggest matches, as teams rely on their consistency to dictate matches effortlessly.

Ranking Factors

• Goal contributions – They must be able to provide a threat in the final third.
• All-round play – The best eights have a more well-rounded role in the modern game.
• Honours – Individual and collective accolades will be taken into consideration.

12

Mateo Kovacic

Manchester City

Reuters/Jason Cairnduf

Arguably an underrated component during Pep Guardiola’s historic reign at Manchester City, Mateo Kovacic is always at the heart of the action. The Croatian has had a phenomenal career, playing for three of the biggest clubs in the world whilst conquering the continent four times.

Even now, as a veteran midfielder at the Etihad, Kovacic is a man that Enzo Maresca can rely on. With the 30-year-old’s well-rounded game considered to be just as good as other stars on this list, he has earned his place among the best.

11

Felix Nmecha

Borussia Dortmund

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

If anyone wasn’t aware of Felix Nmecha’s quality, then the 2026 World Cup should have painted a fairly accurate picture. Even as Germany crashed out in shock fashion against Paraguay, the midfielder was a delight to watch. And the tournament followed an excellent 2025/26 campaign for Borussia Dortmund.

Only one midfielder made more line-breaking passes than Nmecha per 90 in the Bundesliga in the 25/26 campaign, and that was Dortmund teammate Jobe Bellingham. The German is now a £100m+ midfielder, who could yet feature in the Premier League one day.

10

Corentin Tolisso

Olympique Lyonnais

REUTERS/Manon Cruz

For those who haven’t followed his progress since leaving Bayern Munich, you may be surprised to find Corentin Tolisso in this ranking. But certainly not as surprised as those who have. It would be an understatement to say that his return to Olympique Lyonnais, his formative club, did not immediately prove fruitful.

Plagued by injuries and a member of a squad struggling to find his way back onto the French championship podium, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has nonetheless been in sparkling form since the start of the 2024/25 season. His return to the top flight has benefited his club, who handed him the captain’s armband in the 2025/26 campaign.

9

Pablo Barrios

Atletico Madrid

REUTERS/Pablo Morano

Pablo Barrios is someone who continues to go under the radar. He is a key man for Atletico Madrid and a consistent Spain international. It’s difficult to find many other No.8s around world football who are as consistent as the midfielder.

An undisputed starter under Diego Simeone, Barrios was involved in four goals in the 25/26 campaign, with his best work coming in the defensive areas of the pitch. By the time the end of the La Liga season arrived, he had enjoyed a solid campaign, even if the majority of his work took place out of the spotlight.

8

Scott McTominay

Napoli

REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

You may have forgotten, but Scott McTominay is now playing in Italy. More specifically, Napoli, whom he joined in 2024 from Manchester United. It’s a decision the Scot is unlikely to regret. A Serie A leader with the Gli Azzurri, the 28-year-old midfielder is shining in Naples.

With eight goals and three assists in 18 appearances in all competitions during the 25/26 campaign as Napoli won the Serie A title, the Lancaster-born midfielder has established himself as one of the best players in the country. He has gone from a struggling Man United player to a Napoli hero. It has been quite the change in fortune.

7

Alex Scott

Bournemouth

Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Alex Scott is someone who’s destined to reach the top level. Out of possession, he so often sets the press for Bournemouth, winning possession 13 times inside the final third in the 2025/26 season.

In possession, meanwhile, the Englishman is also incredibly tidy – averaging 0.91 successful dribbles per 90 in the same aforementioned campaign.

There’s every chance that Scott turns into a £100m player and deservedly so. He’s already one of the best No.8s in the world after an exceptional spell on the South Coast.

6

Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool

REUTERS/Phil Noble

Arriving in the summer of 2023 from RB Leipzig, Dominik Szoboszlai has been at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield. Seen as a creative outlet, others are forced to do the hard defensive work, but the Hungarian can change the direction of matches in a second, before unleashing a Goal of the Season contender.

He only picked up five goal contributions in 33 Premier League matches during his first campaign, but has since become a key contributor with 13 goals in the 25/26 campaign. Steven Gerrard, one of the club’s greatest-ever players, previously wore the number eight shirt; Szoboszlai is currently doing the legend justice with some outrageous goals.

5

Fabian Ruiz

Paris Saint-Germain

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Fabian Ruiz is not just one of the best No.8s in the world, he’s also one of the best players that European football has to offer, finishing inside the top 10 in the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The Paris Saint-Germain star is a back-to-back Champions League winner and one of, if not the best passer in the world.

Ruiz doesn’t always get the spotlight he deserves, but a World Cup and Champions League were enough to put him among the best players. At long last, the Spaniard is being recognised for his greatness.

4

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United

REUTERS/David Klein

Bruno Fernandes can make Man United ‘tick’. He might not do so on a regular basis – and he definitely does not act like ‘captain material’ – but compare him to other midfielders in the world and he ranks highly. The former Sporting Lisbon star has all the qualities needed.

Previous stars such as Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton have worn the number eight shirt at the Theatre of Dreams, and that inspiration has helped Fernandes shine. A PFA Player of the Year holder, he rarely needs to remind people of his quality.

3

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

Reuters/Matthew Childs

Martin Odegaard is one of the best number eights in the world. The Norwegian star is the beating heart of Mikel Arteta’s world-class Arsenal side, with the Gunners finally picking up the Premier League title in the 2025/26 campaign after 21 years of hurt.

He’s their main creative outlet, consistently looking to move the ball quickly into the final third. The 25-year-old registered nine goal contributions as Arsenal won the league title, with his composure and elegance on the ball giving the best defenders in the world nightmares.