THE LIST: Football's best midfield maestros - Nos 50-41

Published: 28 Sep 2009 - 17:28:40

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THE LIST: Football's best midfield maestros - Nos 50-41

The Austin Maestro may never have quite lived up to the tag - but there are no old bangers in latest edition of The List. HAVE YOUR SAY... Who is the best ever midfield maestro? Sportsmail's latest edition of The List pays homage to the stars in the centre of the park who are so often the difference between success and failure. But who is your favourite? Steven Gerrard in Roy of the Rovers mode? Carlos Valderrama if only for the sublime barnet? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Sportsmail pays tribute to the stars in the centre of the park who are so often the difference between success and failure. How many times has an inspired Steven Gerrard seemingly single-handedly dragged Liverpool to glory? How often has Kaka create a goal from nothing with a sublime pass or simply by doing it himself. The 21st-century game sees midfields filled more than ever with brilliantly stifling holding midfielders sitting in front of their back fours, doing little for the aesthetes. But even snarling dynamos - like Roy Keane in his prime - used to get up and down the pitch and dictate the play. So many heroes and only 50 places - here are our favourite midfield maestros. We will reveal our number one on Friday and, as ever, we want to know what you think of our list. Red star: Jan Molby cuts a fine figure in that memorable Liverpool kit with white brush strokes 50 Jan MolbyThe great Dane - both in physical mass and skill - Molby lit up Anfieldfor 12 years with a stunning range of passing. A couple of Leaguetitles and a pair of FA Cup wins with Liverpool was a little light forhis brilliance, but he was so immersed in the club that he even pickedup a Scouse accent. Super Cesc: And Fabregas will get even better 49 Cesc FabregasJust 22, the brilliant Catalan will surely rise up this List before theend of his career. Came through the ranks and Barcelona before ArseneWenger spotted the qualities of a 16-year-old Francesc and took him toArsenal. The European champions would love to have him back now, butfor now the Emirates is his playground. 48 Juan Roman RiquelmeThe sublimely talented Argentina ace never really did himself justicein Europe with Barcelona or Villarreal, too often falling out withcoaches or team-mates and seemingly lacking application. Put him in anArgentina shirt and you so often see the difference. One of the mostaccurate free-kick specialists in the business and an incredible rangeof passing. Just don't ask him to work back. Perfect 10: Juan Roman Riquelme (left) in action at the 2008 Beijing Games 47 Johnny GilesA midfielder who had it all as part of Leeds' glory years in theSixties and early Seventies. Giles and Billy Bremner formed anunbeatable midfield partnership that was both nasty and creative.Republic of Ireland international Giles was often the one to fashion anopening with a defence-splitting pass, but he could also play theenforcer. Pass masters: Johnny Giles (left) in his Leeds glory days and Robert Prosinecki - a Portsmouth hero - in action for Croatia 46 Robert ProsineckiThe Croat is a cult hero at Portsmouth, despite spending just the2001-02 season at Fratton Park. He gave the club a level of class thatthey so crave at the moment. The West Germany born Prosinecki had ahabit of moving around and has Red Star Belgrade, Real Madrid,Barcelona, Sevilla and Standard Liege included on a colourful c.v. 45 Dave MackayOne of the Sixties' finest passers of the ball. Mackay won Footballerof the Year as a sweeper with Derby in 1974, but he will perhaps bemost remembered for his midfield play with Tottenham Hotspur. He becamea key figure at White Hart Lane after signing on from Hearts for aprincely £32,000 in 1959, winning the Double in 1961 as well as twomore FA Cups and 1963's Cup Winners' Cup. Top gear: Maestros Frank Rijkaard (left) and Dave Mackay 44 Frank RijkaardAs a player he went full circle, starting and finishing at thebrilliant Ajax with a rather significant spell at AC Milan in themiddle. But most will remember him in the orange of Holland and playingalongside Ruud Gullit in a partnership with unparalleled coiffuredstyle. A Euro 88 winner - though mainly as a centre-half - he was alsoheavily decorated at the San Siro. HAVE YOUR SAY: Who is your favourite midfield maestro? 43 RivaldoWorld Player of the Year in 1999 and considered by compatriot Pele asone of the greatest players who ever lived. The 37-year-old is stillplying his trade under Luiz Felipe Scolari in the unlikely surroundingsof Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Bunyodkor duo won the World Cup togetherin 2002 with Rivaldo the creative genius and all the tricks you'dexpect from a Brazilian playmaker. Gold star: Rivaldo on his way to World Cup glory with Brazil in 2002 In his prime: Alan Hudson 42 Alan HudsonScandalously capped just twice, Hudson played for Chelsea, Stoke andArsenal before having a go at cracking America. Probably had his bestyears at Stamford Bridge with his local club during that six years thatwas high on flair but light on trophies. It was the antithesis of theMourinho era, but there was plenty of love for the likes of HudsonPeter Osgood and Charlie Cooke. 41 Frank Lampard JnrThe midfielder that some England fans love to hate for some reason. Butthere is no doubting the adoration at Stamford Bridge, where Lampardhas been the architect of so much of Chelsea's success since signingfrom West Ham eight years ago. His goalscoring return is immense. Hisdad wasn't bad either. No 1: Well, actually No 41, but Frank Lampard has plenty of admirers at Chelsea BEST OF THE REST OF THE LIST ...Sportsmail's top 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 free-kick kingsSportsmail's top 50 England heroesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail's top 50 signings of the season Sportsmail's greatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail's top 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail's top 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail's top 50 Ashes heroesSportsmail's top 50 partnerships Explore more:People:Frank Rijkaard, Steven Gerrard, Juan Roman Riquelme, Roy Keane, Frank LampardPlaces:Liverpool, Leeds, Barcelona, Argentina, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Croatia, Brazil, The Netherlands, Europe, America, Fratton Park