Italian soccer is known for its tradition, refined tactics and brilliant talents that stand out each season. In the spotlight (and on the pitch), best midfielders in Italy play a crucial role in drawing the world’s attention to Serie A and the other tournaments in which the country’s teams compete.
After all, Serie A is one of the most competitive leagues in the world and is home to some of the best midfielders in soccer today. But who are they?
Read on to find out about the careers and performances of the top midfielders currently playing in Italy!
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Best midfielders in Italy: top 10 midfielders this season
Here is a list of the best midfielders in Italy today:
- Christian Pulisic (Milan)
- Nicolò Barella (Internazionale)
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Internazionale)
- Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus)
- Loftus-Cheek (Milan)
- Andrea Colpani (Fiorentina)
- Cristante (Roma)
- McKennie (Juventus)
- Mkhitaryan (Internazionale)
- Leandro Paredes (Roma)
Read on to discover the careers and track records of each of Italy’s top midfielders.
Christian Pulisic (Milan)
Pulisic began his career in European soccer at Borussia Dortmund, where he quickly stood out as a promising youngster. His performances at the German club caught the attention of Chelsea, who signed him in 2019.
Pulisic had outstanding moments in the Premier League, helping Chelsea win major titles, including the Champions League, becoming the first American to play in a UEFA Champions League final.
In 2023, the player signed for AC Milan, where he became an important piece in the team’s attack and one of the best midfielders in Italy, becoming part of the Serie A squad for 2023/24.
Pulisic stands out for his speed, dribbling and vision, as well as for his ability to play in different midfield positions.
2. Nicolò Barella (Internazionale)
Another of the midfield names that will feature in the 2023/24 Serie A squad, Barella began his career at Cagliari, where his consistent performances led him to be one of the main promises of Italian soccer.
In 2019 he was signed by Internazionale, and has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Italy, thanks to his talent, dynamism, passing ability and ability to control the midfield.
Barella is often praised for his intensity, technique and leadership, as well as amassing a number of important titles in his career with the team, including a two-time Italian championship.
Titles with Internazionale
- Serie A: 2020-21 and 2023-24
- Italian Cup: 2021-22 and 2022-23
- Italian Super Cup: 2021, 2022 and 2023.
3. Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Internazionale).
Voted best midfielder in Serie A 2023/24, Çalhanoğlu couldn’t be missing from this list of Italy’s best midfielders, could he?
The Turkish star began his career in the Bundesliga, standing out for his free-kick skills, which led him to play for top teams such as Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen.
In 2017 he signed for Milan, where he established himself as one of the team’s main players, but in 2021 he signed for their biggest rivals, Internazionale, where he is a key player both offensively and defensively.
Titles with Internazionale
- Italian Cup: 2021-22 and 2022-23
- Italian Super Cup: 2021, 2022 and 2023
- Italian Championship – Serie A: 2023-24
Read also: Meet the 10 worst teams in Italy.
4. Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus)
Koopmeiners began his career at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, where he stood out for his ability to score goals and control the midfield with technical quality.
In 2021 he was signed by Atalanta, where he quickly became one of the best midfielders in Italy, attracting the attention of bigger teams such as Juventus who, in 2024, signed a five-year contract with the star.
Koopmeiners is known for his passing accuracy, tactical intelligence and strong physical presence, as well as being a constant threat from set pieces.
Titles won by Atalanta
- UEFA Europa League: 2023-24
5. Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan)
The Milan star began his career at Chelsea, where he was considered one of the great promises of the English team’s youth academy.
After loan spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham, the midfielder signed for Milan in 2023 and has already made a name for himself in Serie A for his physical strength and ball control.
Also worth noting is his versatility, which allows him to play in several midfield positions.
6. Andrea Colpani (Fiorentina)
Italian, Colpani began his career in Atalanta’s youth ranks, but made a name for himself playing for Monza in Serie B, helping the club reach Serie A in May 2022.
The following season, 2022/23, he made his Serie A debut for the team, where he played until July 2024, when he left for Fiorentina.
At 25 years of age, he is considered one of the most promising players in Italian soccer and has shown continuous growth, already appearing in lists of the best midfielders in Italy, even receiving an honorable mention in the 2023/24 Serie A call-up list.
7. Bryan Cristante (Roma)
Cristante began his career at AC Milan, but it was at Atalanta where he rose to fame, catching the eye of Roma, who signed him in 2018. Since then, Cristante has been an important piece in Roma’s midfield. But it is his ability to score goals and distribute play that has made him one of the best midfielders in Italy.
Cristante is a complete midfielder, with good defensive and attacking ability, making him a sure name in international competitions in which the Italian national team plays, including when Italy won Euro 2020.
Titles for Roma
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2022-23
- Europa League Conference: 2021-22
Titles for Italy
- European Championship: 2020
8. Weston McKennie (Juventus)
American-born McKennie began his career with German club Schalke 04 before being signed by Juventus in 2020.
At the Italian side he quickly became one of the team’s most dynamic midfielders, with his ability to cover large areas of the field, his versatility and energy being one of the strengths of the Juventus midfield.
Titles with Juventus
- Italian Super Cup: 2020
- Coppa Italia: 2020-21 and 2023-24
9. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Internazionale)
Mkhitaryan began his career in Armenian soccer before excelling at clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Arsenal. In 2019 he signed for Roma, where he became one of the best midfielders in Italy, which attracted the attention of Internazionale, who signed him to the club in 2022.
Mkhitaryan is known for his vision, technique and ability to score goals at important moments. Not to mention that we are talking about a player with a wealth of experience on the European stage as a whole.
Titles won by Roma
- UEFA Europa League Conference: 2021-22
Internazionale titles
- Italian Super Cup: 2022 and 2023
- Italian Cup: 2022-23
- Italian Championship – Serie A: 2023-24
10. Leandro Paredes (Roma)
Argentinean, Paredes began his career at Boca Juniors in Argentina before moving to Europe, where he played for clubs such as Roma, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. In 2023 he returned to Roma, where he has established himself as one of Italy’s best midfielders.
With excellent passing ability and vision, he has also made a name for himself for his ability to control the pace of the game, as well as helping out in defense.
In short, Italy’s best midfielders represent a true spectacle of talent, and are fundamental to the success of their teams.
Whether it’s with precise assists, important goals or leadership on the pitch, they continue to raise the level of Italian soccer and take it all over the world! No wonder more and more people follow the Italian league! Welcome to the club!
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