Hans Vanaken

Hans Vanaken has spent a decade as Club Brugge's creative heartbeat, winning the Belgian Pro League's Player of the Year award a record four times — a remarkable consistency that reflects genuine domestic dominance. The attacking midfielder excels at arriving into the penalty area from deep, contributing goals and assists in a way that belies his position. The persistent question around Vanaken is whether his quality translates to the highest international level; his Belgium appearances have been limited given the competition ahead of him. At 33, this World Cup may represent his final opportunity to answer that question on the biggest stage.