Top Young Midfielders: Three Portuguese Among Best in Passing

GENEVA, Switzerland — The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) released a new ranking highlighting young midfielders who excel at vertical passing, setting up their teammates and bypassing defenders. The list includes three Portuguese players, making a strong showing in the top ten.

Rafael Luís, of Benfica‘s B team, ranks fifth overall with 6.2 vertical passes per match. Following him is João Neves of Paris Saint-Germain, who averages 5.8 passes. André Oliveira from FC Porto B also stands out, contributing 5.7 progressive passes every 90 minutes.

This CIES metric evaluates under-21 players from 50 leagues who have played over 900 minutes this season. The ranking focuses on passes that leave at least three opponents farther from their own goal than they were initially when the pass was made.

In total, the ranking is indicative of the emerging talent within European football and emphasizes the technical skills required for these young players to succeed at high levels. The data shows a growing trend of young players making significant contributions to their teams through effective passing.

The CIES study serves as a vital resource for fans and clubs looking to identify promising young midfielders who can impact the game significantly.