Midfielders are the backbone of any team as they perform defensive, attacking and playmaking functions, breaking opponent’s attacks and creating chances for their partners. There are various positions in midfield as halfbacks could be focused on controlling the holding area or develop and finish the team’s attacks. However, the best midfielders in football combine various skills and are equally composed in different positions on the pitch. Here are some of the best midfielders in the sport, whose performance we are going to enjoy at the World Cup.

Christian Eriksen

The Danish wizard played a key part in his country’s bid to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. He scored 8 goals in the qualification campaign, made 3 assists and netted a hat-trick in the crucial second leg of the playoff against Republic of Ireland. Denmark leader is just as important for his club, Tottenham Hotspur. The Dane scored 10 goals and made 10 assists in the 2017/2018 Premier League season. Besides, he was in the top 10 in the number of passes made. It is hard to imagine Denmark national team making it to the World Cup without Christian. However, with this talented midfielder in the squad, they could easily pull off a couple of impressive performances against any opponent.

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin has been superb throughout the 2017/2018 season, playing for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and kept producing phenomenal performance week in week out. His passing skills left fans and pundits in awe as he proved to be one of the club’s most influential players. No player made more assists in the Premier League than the Belgian master. Apart from that, he netted 8 goals himself. A minor slump at the end of the season did not let him become the tournament’s best player but he will definitely prove his worth again on Russian pitches. Along with the rest of Belgian golden generation, including Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Radja Nainggolan and many others, Kevin De Bruyne will need some stopping.

N’Golo Kante

The diminutive French player is an incredibly hardworking midfielder who has been the heart and soul of two Premier League champions in the past three years. He first impressed at Leicester City, using his stamina, composure and superb tackling skills to push the modest club to an incredible title. Next year he was lured to Chelsea and repeated the title quest with the new teammates. Now it’s time for the restless midfielder to guide his national team to the World Cup glory. He has a task of feeding a talented and powerful front line in Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and others, playing alongside the talented Paul Pogba.

Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos was part of the mighty Germany team which claimed the 2014 title in Brazil, beating the hosts by 7-1 in the semifinal. In the fours years after that he has turned into a true leader of the champions and a stalwart in their midfield. Kroos does not score many goals or make many assists but provides a solid presence at the centre of the pitch, performing playmaking functions and efficiently breaking opponent’s attacks. No wonder he has been instrumental for Real Madrid since his arrival in 2014, helping them win a number of titles. He is definitely going to shine at the World Cup in Russia and guide his younger partners to more victories.

Luka Modric

It’s finally time for Croatia’s golden generation of football players to shine at the World Cup in Russia. With a stellar lineup, including the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, Mario Mandzukic and many others they must impress before age take the toll. However, the man who is set to make the team click is undoubtedly Luka Modric. The diminutive midfielder is an engine that powers Real Madrid and Croatia national team from the holding area. He keeps taking on opponents, creating chances for his partners and making shots himself. And he does all that with unparalleled class and composure. Luka is undoubtedly one of the top midfielders we are going to see on Russian pitches this summer.

Obviously many more outstanding midfielders will shine at the World Cup, including David Silva, Thiago Alcantara, James Rodriguez or Philippe Coutinho. Hopefully, some underdogs will put in impressive performance, too. However, the five halfbacks in this article are the top stars who are instrumental for their teams and are joy to watch.