A league full of stars can leave you wondering who is at the top of each position. That’s why, in this article, we’ve created a list of the 10 best midfielders in France.
They are stars of all nationalities currently defending the jerseys of French teams in search of historic achievements at home and abroad.
If you are curious to know who are France’s best center-backs, read on and find out more about the achievements and track record of the TOP 10!
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10 best midfielders in France of the season: career, titles and records
Here is the list of the best midfielders in France today:
- João Neves (PSG)
- Maxence Caqueret (Lyon)
- Denis Zakaria (Monaco)
- Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Olympique de Marseille)
- Youssouf Ndayishimiye (Nice)
- Gabriel Moscardo (Reims)
- Azor Matusiwa (Rennes)
- Ismaël Doukouré (Strasbourg)
- Pierre Lees-Melou (Brest)
- Nabil Bentaleb (Lille)
Read on to discover the career and achievements of each of the best midfielders in France
Joao Neves (PSG)
At just 20 years of age, Portuguese midfielder João Neves is the most sought-after player on the French market.
The star began his soccer career in Portugal, progressing through the youth ranks at Benfica, where he caught the attention of Europe for his vision and ability to distribute passes.
In 2023, he was signed by PSG, bringing his technical ability and tactical intelligence, as well as being an important support in both defense and attack.
In short, João has quickly become one of the best midfielders in France, quickly adapting to PSG and becoming a key part of the club’s tactical scheme.
PSG titles
- Ligue 1: 2023-24
Maxence Caqueret (Lyon).
Since 2019 at Lyon, Maxence Caqueret is one of the great talents to have come through the team’s youth ranks.
With his great positional intelligence and quality passing, he stood out and was quickly promoted to the first team. Today he is considered one of the mainstays of the midfield, combining physical strength and refined technique.
In addition, his ability to intercept and distribute the ball quickly makes him one of the best midfielders in France today.
Lyon titles
- French Cup: 2019-20
Read also: French soccer: discover the 10 worst teams in France.
3. Denis Zakaria (Monaco)
Denis Zakaria began his professional career in Swiss soccer, playing for Servette, before transferring to Borussia Monchengladbach and then Monaco, where he arrived in 2023.
In just a few months, the star has established himself as one of the most consistent midfielders in Ligue 1, with an impressive ability to cover large areas of the field and help the defense.
Together with his teammates, he helped Monaco reach second place in Ligue 1 in 2023/24, which qualified them for the Champions League.
4. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Olympique de Marseille)
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg began his career at Bayern Munich, where he got his first taste of top-level soccer. After a successful spell in the Premier League with Tottenham, he joined Olympique Marseille, bringing experience and leadership to the midfield.
One of the best midfielders in France of the moment, he stands out for his ability to win back possession and his ability to quickly build attacking moves.
Youssouf Ndayishimiye (Nice)
Youssouf Ndayishimiye began his career in Turkish soccer, where he stood out for his defensive prowess and physical strength.
He arrived at Nice in 2023 and quickly made a name for himself as one of best midfielders in France, particularly for his ability to break down opponents and break up play. His versatility also allows him to contribute a lot in transitions and counter-attacks.
6. Gabriel Moscardo (Reims)
A revelation in the youth ranks of Brazilian soccer, Gabriel Moscardo has stood out for his dribbling skills and his ability to distribute long passes with precision.
Bought by Paris Saint-Germain, the star was loaned to Reims in 2024 to gain experience on the pitch, as there is less competition from high-level players outside the Parisian club.
He is currently one of the five midfielders with the highest market value in France and has everything to continue to shine among the best in the league.
7. Azor Matusiwa (Rennes)
Azor Matusiwa began his career in Holland, where he had outstanding spells at Ajax and Reims, also French, where he stayed from 2021 to 2024.
He is currently the star of Rennes and is famous for his aggressive style of play, impressing with his ability to mark the opponent and protect the defense.
One of the characteristics that make him one of the best midfielders in France is undoubtedly his high rate of interceptions and tackles per game.
8. Ismaël Doukouré (Strasbourg)
Ismaël Doukouré began his career at Valenciennes before joining Strasbourg, where he has excelled in midfield.
Despite his youth, Doukouré shows impressive maturity on the pitch, combining physical strength with excellent vision.
His defensive skills make him a constant – and safe – choice for the coach.
9. Pierre Lees-Melou (Brest)
Pierre Lees-Melou had played for clubs such as Dijon and Nice before joining Brest, and brought his experience to help the team achieve one of its most impressive feats in 2024: qualifying for the Champions League by finishing third in the French league. This Champions League qualification was the first in the team’s history.
Best center-back in France, Pierre has developed a refined technique and a great sense of positioning, being able to control the pace of the game and distribute passes with precision to initiate counter-attacking plays.
In addition to his defensive role, he also contributes important goals, becoming a reference in Brest’s midfield.
10. Nabil Bentaleb (Lille)
Nabil Bentaleb began his career at Tottenham in the Premier League and also played for Schalke 04 and Newcastle United before joining Lille.
With extensive experience in European soccer, Bentaleb is one of best midfielders in France and combines physical strength with excellent vision and passing.
He is also known for his leadership and ability to organize the midfield, where the team considers him a natural leader.
Now you have your hands on the list of the best midfielders in France and you can follow Ligue 1 and other European tournaments with much more knowledge and excitement. And, if you’re a true fan of French soccer, read on:
- TOP 10 Best goalkeepers in France this season in Ligue 1
- TOP 10 Best left backs in France this season
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