Frédérique Mertens

This Belgian center-back is an implacable force, pairing explosive speed with an intimidating aggression that makes up for her occasional aerial struggles. Before every match, she insists on eating a spoonful of raw honey while putting only her left cleat on first, a peculiar ritual that leaves her teammates perpetually baffled. Once on the pitch, she channels that strange focus into bone-crushing tackles and absolute physical dominance.