
Rodri's Quiet Revolution — And Why He's Still the Best Defensive Midfielder in the World
Rodri tops our 2026 ranking of the world's best defensive midfielders. We assess form, not fame — and one superstar is missing.

The key to Senegal's success lies in maintaining their pace of play.
It's equally important that Sadio Mané remains in top form.
The most important players for Senegal: Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, Idrissa Gueye, and Ismaïla Sarr.
Based on their current form, Senegal could realistically reach the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
The group they're in is strong, but Senegal has already shown they can beat any team.
The following players are crucial to Senegal's strategy:
Senegal is in a tough group, but they've already shown they can beat any team.
The group is strong, but Senegal has shown their potential.