Jonathan Tah #4

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Defensive leader at Bayern and defensive leader of the national team. Finally. At 19, Tah was named Germany’s best young footballer but, as time went on, many gave up on the idea that this huge defensive talent would ever become an important international. “There were injuries, dips in form, tough moments. People expected me to take on responsibility early. Maybe I put too much pressure on myself,” he told Die Zeit two years ago. Under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen, however, Tah became the best centre-back in the Bundesliga: strong in duels, good in the air, hard to dribble past, and with few mistakes. Alonso may, in fact, have saved Tah’s career. On Instagram, the 30-year-old describes himself as “dedicated, ambitious and open-minded individual, striving for the best version of himself.” That’s worked out pretty well in recent years. Tah will play his first World Cup match in North America.

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