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Where do Luka Modric, Toni Kroos rank among the best midfielders in the world?

By Kevin Parvizi

Real Madrid, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric (Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Real Madrid, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric (Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara
Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

4. Liverpool CM Thiago

Real Madrid fans may get annoyed with how Liverpool fans praise Thiago Alcantara, especially since the kind words for Toni Kroos are so rare from the mainstream media; Kroos is far too disrespected by them.

But we have to be honest. Thiago is that damn good. What separates him from so many other players is that not only is he able to control matches, but he is also an elite defensive presence. He has helped Liverpool reach a new level, and they can credit coming so close to Manchester City in the Premier League and reaching the Champions League Final again with Thiago’s class in midfield. It took him a bit of time to get 100 percent settled, but he has definitely fit right in.

Remember this, too. Thiago was in Kroos’ position for a long time at Bayern. He was better than just about every other midfielder, yet nobody would talk about him because they were so fixated on Lionel Messi and the Premier League.

3. Bayern Munich DM Kimmich

After being slowed by long COVID-19 and learning his lesson about the importance of getting vaccinated, Joshua Kimmich resumed his world-class level in the Bayern midfield. Though Bayern ended up cruising to the Bundesliga title, they did not like the way they played, and they were embarrassed by Villarreal in the Champions League. Even so, Kimmich was the one standing out and doing his best to raise the games of those around him, like he always does.

Kimmich’s defensive quality in the midfield is a sight to behold, but that is no surprise, given he was a world-class right back. The 27-year-old, whom Real Madrid would love to have the chance to sign one day, quietly had a whopping 11 assists despite being such a defensive stalwart.

Like Thiago before him in the Bayern midfield, Kimmich is very easy to underrate. He had to do a LOT of running and covering for a less organized Bayern this season in the second half of the campaign, yet he still averaged nearly three key passes per game in the league and two interceptions per game in the Champions League. Kimmich is such a unique talent.

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