Ranking the greatest long passers in football history isn’t an exact science. Opinions vary, styles change, and the game evolves. But what remains constant is the timeless brilliance of those rare players who can send a ball soaring 40 yards and land it right on a teammate’s toe.
From deep-lying playmakers to wide men with laser-guided deliveries, these are the players who turned long passing into an art form. While it’s near impossible to rank them definitively, a select group always seems to rise to the top when this conversation comes up.
Here’s a closer look at some of the Best long passers to ever grace the game.
10. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Still only in the early stages of his career, Trent has already made a name for himself with his passing range. From full-back, he delivers long balls that split defences and switch play with ease. His crossing and diagonals are already among the best in world football.
9. Steven Gerrard
Power, accuracy, and ambition defined Gerrard’s passing. He wasn’t afraid to go for the Hollywood ball — and more often than not, he pulled it off. His long-range passes were direct, purposeful, and often the trigger for a Liverpool counterattack.
8. Luka Modrić
Modrić combines energy, intelligence, and class, and his range of passing is as wide as it gets. Whether driving the ball long with his laces or pinging a floated pass under pressure, the Croatian midfielder consistently delivers with precision.
7. David Beckham
One of the most iconic crossers in football history, Beckham’s long passing was a thing of beauty. Whether whipping in from the right flank or sending inch-perfect balls from deep, his technique was flawless. Few players in history could bend a ball quite like him.
6. Toni Kroos
Effortless control. That’s Kroos in a nutshell. The German international rarely breaks a sweat, but his long-range passes are executed with machine-like accuracy. He controls the rhythm of games from deep, using his pinpoint long balls to stretch teams and open spaces.
5. Lionel Messi
Often praised for his goals, dribbling, and genius in tight spaces, Messi’s long passing deserves its own spotlight. His vision allows him to see angles most don’t, and the execution, whether it’s a floated ball to Alba or a cross-field switch is flawless.
4. Kevin De Bruyne
Modern football’s most devastating passer. De Bruyne blends power with accuracy like few others. Whether it’s a curling ball into space behind the defence or a whipped diagonal to the opposite wing, his long-range deliveries split teams open in an instant.
3. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane could do just about anything with a ball, but his passing, especially over distance, was something else. He combined grace with control, delivering long-range passes with perfect weight and timing, often in high-stakes moments.
2. Andrea Pirlo
For pure elegance, few matched Pirlo. His long passes didn’t just reach teammates, they sang. From deep midfield, Pirlo could unlock entire defences with one sweeping ball. It wasn’t just technique; it was vision, calm, and a deep understanding of movement.
1. Xavi Hernández
Barcelona’s metronome didn’t just keep things ticking in midfield, he could pick out a teammate across the pitch without breaking stride. Xavi’s precision and ability to dictate tempo were unmatched, and his long passing, often overshadowed by his short game, was surgical.
Notable Mentions
• Rui Costa
• Cesc Fabregas
• Xabi Alonso
• Mesut Özil
• Frank Lampard
• Wayne Rooney
• Paul Scholes
• Paul Pogba
