Cesc Fabregas has built his own Mount Rushmore of the four greatest midfielders in football history. The retired midfield icon knows a thing or two about what it takes to be the best in the middle of the park, having scored 125 goals and provided 216 assists in 739 appearances - numbers that helped him win a World Cup, two European Championships, and a gluttony of club honours during spells with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Barcelona.
A humble and honest presence in the engine room during his playing days, the Spaniard was never one to give himself flowers, always preferring to let those around him take the plaudits for his unselfish work. That attitude came through once again in a recent interview with SportBible, where he named his top four midfielders - two of whom are fellow Spaniards.
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Zinedine Zidane
France
Zinedine Zidane
"You only realise these top players when they are not in the team," Fabregas said about all four of his choices, and by kicking things off with France and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, it set the precedent for a quartet that oozes big-game mentality.
The Frenchman has an incredible legacy, winning both the World Cup and the European Championship, and being named as the best player in both competitions, while the former - which came in 1998 - also saw him claim the Ballon d'Or in the same year. In 690 career appearances, he scored 125 goals and produced 142 assists, and even then, it's widely accepted that he retired too soon to achieve everything he deserved.
Xavi
Spain
Xavi in action for Spain
A legendary figure in the middle of the pitch, Xavi was one of the defining faces in a dominant era for Spanish football. Whether it was the national team winning three major tournaments on the bounce, or Barcelona becoming unstoppable under Pep Guardiola, the future manager of the club was on hand to run the show every single time.
Xavi's 767 appearances for the Catalan outfit puts him second of all time, the same place he ranks for assists. At times, the 45-year-old may have been overshadowed by other personnel next to him. Those who truly understand the beautiful game understand exactly how immaculate this man's artistry was, and he defined a generation of Spanish tiki-taka subtlety.
Andres Iniesta
Spain
Andres Iniesta celebrates winning a trophy for Barcelona
Speaking of those who usually overshadowed Xavi, Andres Iniesta is one of them. He was recognised as the best player in Europe in 2012, overcoming some strong opposition in the process. His most famous moment, though, came in 2010 as he scored the goal to win La Roja their very first World Cup.
If his impact on Spanish football somehow wasn't written in the history books without that 116th minute strike, then that goal ensured that the playmaker would be seen as one of the greatest Spain internationals in history. His 35-trophy haul includes nine La Liga titles and four Champions League mantles, also ensuring he's his nation's most decorated footballer.
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Michel Platini
France
Michel Platini captaining France.
Michel Platini's performance in the semi-final of Euro ’84 in Paris inspired some of John Motson’s most breathless and memorable commentary. The Frenchman was instrumental in his nation's win in that tournament, finishing top scorer with nine goals. While the World Cup remained elusive, with semi-final defeats to West Germany in both the 1982 and 1986 finals, Platini’s contribution to club football was even more impressive.
After inspiring St Etienne to the French title in 1981, he was sold to Juventus, where he won multiple honours, including three Ballon d’Ors on the trot between 1983 and 1985. In total, he finished his career having scored 297 goals in 550 appearances, and he was no doubt idolised by Fabregas when he was looking to become a midfield orchestrator himself. Watch Fabregas' interview below:
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 15/06/2025)