Aurélien Tchouaméni

Aurélien Tchouaméni arrived at Real Madrid as one of the most coveted defensive midfielders in Europe and has steadily grown into the role, anchoring the midfield that Carlo Ancelotti rebuilt after the Casemiro era. Physically imposing and composed in possession, he reads danger well and can play as a single pivot or alongside a more creative partner. For France, he has become the midfield foundation — the player who allows Antoine Griezmann and others to operate higher. His performances at the 2022 World Cup, including a penalty miss in the final, showed both his nerve and his importance to the squad.