Leo Van der Elst (born 7 January 1962) is a Belgian retired footballer who played mainly as a midfielder.

He amassed Belgian Pro League totals of 406 games and 67 goals over the course of 15 seasons, mainly in representation of Antwerp, Club Brugge and Genk.

During his career he played for Royal Antwerp FC, Club Brugge KV (where he often partnered namesake Franky, contributing with five goals in 30 games to the conquest of the 1987–88 edition of the Belgian First Division A), FC Metz, RKC Waalwijk, R. Charleroi SC, K.R.C.

Van der Elst earned 13 caps for Belgium and was selected, alongside Franky, to the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

There, in the quarter-final clash against Spain, he scored the penalty shootout decider after the 1–1 in regulation time.