Frenkie de Jong

De Jong started all four of the Netherlands' matches at the 2026 World Cup, logging 331 minutes with a 94.2% pass-completion rate -- second on the squad only to a defender -- and led the team in tackles and interceptions before the exit.

The tournament ended in heartbreak: Morocco won an epic penalty shootout in the round of 32 after both sides missed twice, with Ismael Saibari converting the decisive spot kick.

De Jong played the closing stages of that match, and the tournament overall, with persistent pain in his right knee, having been substituted late in a prior match with what looked like a minor injury before the problem resurfaced.

De Jong is a press-resistant, progressive-passing midfielder who often drops between the centre-backs to build attacks from deep -- his defensive workload for the Netherlands (leading tackles and interceptions) showed a more combative side than his Barcelona role typically requires.

He heads into 2026/27 off the back of a LaLiga title with Barcelona and a World Cup ended by injury, with his fitness for pre-season a live question after finishing the tournament in visible pain.