When you look at midfielders like Johann Cruyff players who dominated on the field, retired, then stepped into coaching and continued to win, even revolutionizing the game one question lingers:
Why do forwards always seem to get more recognition?
Think of it this way: the engine makes the car move, but it’s not always beautiful to look at. People remember the flash of the finish, not the grit that made it possible. That’s why it’s so refreshing to see midfielders like Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Moisés Caicedo commanding astronomical transfer fees and real respect. The game is starting to value its engines.
Take Carlo Ancelotti. He was a central midfielder who read the game with calm authority. That same clarity and flow of thought translated directly to the tactical board, where he’s become one of the most successful managers in history.
Then there’s Pep Guardiola a pure football genius. His understanding of space and rhythm was forged in the midfield, and he’s since built teams that embody that very intelligence.
Zinedine Zidane had an almost magical run as Real Madrid’s manager, winning three straight Champions League titles a vision no doubt shaped from his time as the game’s premier playmaker. And it will be fascinating to watch how he organizes the French national team once he takes charge.
Speaking of France, Didier Deschamps won everything as a defensive midfielder World Cup, Euros, Champions League and has carried that winning mentality into management, leading Les Bleus to glory again. The through ball is clear: the midfield general sees the entire pitch. They understand tempo, balance, and battle. Football is, and always has been, a war for the middle.
And that’s perhaps why some teams struggle when their “engine” is missing. I wonder who will be the next midfield maestro to rule the touchline for the next decade?
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