Moisés Caicedo #23

Profile

From Santo Domingo's dusty pitches to breaking the British transfer record, Caicedo is on quite a journey. When Chelsea paid Brighton £115m in 2023 they gave him an eight-year contract, a huge financial show of confidence in his ability. And, after what he called “a difficult start, I felt the pressure”, he has lived up to that billing at Stamford Bridge. A calm, sensitive character, his childhood nickname “Niño Moi” – “The Boy Moi” – has stuck, and he launched his Niño Moi 23 Academy in Guayas last year, saying he hoped it would “shape both sporting talents and exemplary citizens, grounded in good values”. Faith drives him: “I pray at every match, win or lose … I ask God to see us through each match without injuries.” He arrived at the World Cup carrying over a suspension following his red card in last year’s qualifier against Argentina, a match which began with his mum, Carmen, walking out to deliver the matchball to the referee.

Key stats