Ronald Araújo

Ronald Araújo is one of the most physically imposing centre-backs in world football — dominant in the air, ferocious in the tackle, and capable of carrying the ball out from deep with genuine purpose. Since breaking into Barcelona's first team he has become indispensable to both club and country, his pace allowing him to play a high line without being exposed. For Uruguay he is the defensive cornerstone of Bielsa's system, the player who makes the aggressive pressing shape viable. Injury has occasionally interrupted his momentum, but when fit he is comfortably among the top three centre-backs at this tournament.