Nikolaus Kaufmann

This charismatic Austrian midfield engine dominates the pitch with his endless stamina and electric sprint dribbling. He still laughs about the time he refused to be subbed off after twisting his ankle, instead charming the referee into letting him stay on by providing an immediate, improvised tactical breakdown of the opposing defense. Despite his physical dominance, his Achilles' heel is heading, as he notoriously avoids leaving the ground even when a ball is screaming toward his forehead.