Saeko Umeda

This flamboyant Japanese fullback blurs reality with blistering pace and masterclass defensive instincts, though her slide tackling is notoriously sloppy. To channel her focus, she insists on braiding a tiny silk ribbon into her left cleat laces while her teammates look on, chuckling at the rhythmic chant she whispers to her shoes. She is a defensive force who dominates the flank with absolute confidence, even if her ritual makes the dressing room feel like a bizarre theater.