Bellingham tops list of world's best attacking midfielders

Real Madrid's dynamic midfielder Jude Bellingham has been crowned the world's top attacking midfielder in Planet Football's latest rankings, outshining Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and emerging talent Nico Paz. This prestigious list focuses on traditional playmakers, creative midfielders, and attack-minded players, deliberately excluding defensive or deeper-lying midfielders.

Bellingham claimed the number one position despite a season where his individual performance was scrutinized following his high-profile move to Real Madrid. While facing questions about midfield dynamics alongside other attacking stars, his influential performances at the World Cup served as a powerful reminder of his ability to impact games at the highest level. Planet Football attributed any perceived struggles largely to Real Madrid's midfield balance issues after the departures of key figures like Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, rather than a decline in Bellingham's personal quality.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes secured the second spot after another season marked by impressive creativity and chance creation. His passing ability kept him among Europe's most productive playmakers, and his individual contributions stood out despite his club's inconsistent form. Fernandes' leadership and creativity continue to solidify his status as a leading attacking midfielder globally.

Completing the top three is Argentinian star Nico Paz, who enjoyed a breakthrough season with Como, emerging as one of football's most exciting young talents. His pivotal role in Como's strong campaign has attracted significant interest from major European clubs. Other notable inclusions in the top 10 feature Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (fourth), Barcelona's Dani Olmo (fifth), Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White (sixth), Chelsea's Cole Palmer (seventh), Liverpool's Florian Wirtz (eighth), and Arsenal's Martin Ødegaard (ninth).