Taghi Akbari

This Iranian defensive midfielder dances in front of the backline with a blistering pace that humbles opponents, despite his less-than-imposing stature. Famously known for once convincing a referee to stop play just to tie his laces while in the middle of intercepting a pass, he possesses a cocky flair matched only by his uncanny ability to never let an attacker past him. While his slide tackling often leaves much to be desired, his natural talent for jockeying is pure, unadulterated magic.