World Football: 8 Greatest Midfield Pairings (or Triples) in Football History

The midfielder is one of the primary attractive factors of world football. One type of midfielder is a British "bite-your-legs" midfield destroyer with no technique. Another type is the Everyman, the all-rounder, an engine who can run from box to box.

The midfielder is the playmaker. His exuberance, imagination and creative play enthrall those who watch and play alike.

Although there seems to be quite a definitive idea of a playmaker, eloquent authors have diluted the playmaker into two separate ideas. He is sometimes likened to an orchestrator, one who directs all that happens on the pitch. At other times, he is seen as a saviour—one who can turn a drab, quashed game into majestic, open football in a single moment.

Xavi and Iniesta

Xavi and Iniesta are the greatest midfield partnership in the world. They are impeccable in terms of keeping possession and have the greatest quantitative measure of technical skill between them today.

Xavi plays a more "conducting" role, dictating the pace of the game from a more static role, while Iniesta is more direct and is more of a dribbling playmaker than Xavi.

They pull the strings of what is undoubtedly one of the greatest teams ever, and therefore merit a place on this list.

Le Carre Magique

Or "The Magic Square," in English. This French quartet—composed of playmaker Michel Platini, workhorse Jean Tigana, silky wide man Alain Giresse and tackler Luis Fernandez—dominated the early 80's. They were unlucky to lose to West Germany in 1982, but made up for that by winning Euro 84, establishing themselves in French football history.

Keane, Scholes, Giggs and Beckham

In many ways, the perfect midfield four. In terms of chemistry, all types of midfielders were there. Keane provided some midfield tenacity in the defensive midfield positions. Scholes provided the midfield creativity with vision and passing. Giggs provided silky wide skill, going past people while creating chances on his own. Beckham was the crossing winger who occasionally tracked back and tucked in.

This midfield was the mainstay of Alex Ferguson's late 90's successes at Manchester United, with its glory hour coming in the 98-99 treble seasons.

Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira

Gilberto Silva, the silent wall—an exceptionally talented defensive midfielder—provided an excellent foil to Patrick Vieira—an energetic, Roy of the Rovers-style midfielder. He worked hard while adding a skillful touch and a supreme passing ability to his all-around game.

These two provided the base for Arsenal's Invincible's season.

Gianni Rivera and Sandro Mazzola

These two Italians were among the most acclaimed midfield pairings ever seen. They were only ever seen together sparingly, but when they were, they combined to great effect. Those two created a great conundrum for Italy coach Feruccio Valcareggi in the 70's: to fit both Rivera and Mazzola in the same Italian side.

These two were both playmakers and had won two European Cups apiece before 1970. Therefore, they needed to be included in the Italy 1970 squad. To fit these contrasting talents together, Valcareggi devised a Staffeta, or relay. Each would be given 45 minutes to control the game, and then the other would be sent on.

Using this system, Italy managed to reach the final, where they lost to the great 70 Brazil side. 

Nobby Stiles and Bobby Charlton

Another creator-destroyer pair. Stiles played the destroyer role to Charlton's silky skill and passing expertise, and worked hard to make way for his shots. These two provided the base for wingers Martin Peters and Alan Ball to effectively go forward and provide a midfield spine to England's World Cup-winning side.

Johan Neeskens and Johan Cruyff

Again this stretches the definition of "midfield partnership," as Johan Cruijff played as a false nine—or something close to it—in the Dutch National team, while Neeskens played as a workhorse midfielder, in a box-to-box role. This is not dissimilar to the role played by Ji-Sung Park today.

Neeskens played a huge role in Cruijff's eye-catching performances for both club and country. 

Makelele, Zidane, Figo and Redondo

The Real Madrid midfield four was born out of the Galactico Project; Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez bought superstars like Zidane, Figo and Steve McManaman, and expected them to gel together and win many trophies. However, the Galactico era only brought one European trophy—the Champions League in 2002.

This midfield composed of Makelele holding and allowing Zidane and Figo to push forward.