Top 5 playmakers Men’s Euros 2026: “Simply incredible”

The center back position is the engine of any team, dictating tempo and creating opportunities. These five playmakers combine vision, creativity, and leadership, making them key to their teams’ success at Men’s Euros 2026.

Nedim Remili (France)

It might be an exaggeration to say that Remili carries Veszprem on his shoulders — after all, there are many talented players on that team — but the Frenchman is certainly their most important player. And in the national team, he has dominated at center back for several years now. Simply incredible!

Felix Claar (Sweden)

The Swedish center back has not dominated for Magdeburg this autumn, at least not to the same extent as before. Problem? Not really. Most of the focus has been on the Icelanders, and Claar has also often played left back while improving steadily as the season has progressed.

Gisli Kristjansson (Iceland)

For Magdeburg’s center back duties, there is Gisli Kristjansson, who has been really sharp this autumn and remains one of the world’s best players at the position. Quick, creative, and fearless — and incredibly important for Iceland at the Euros.

Aymeric Minne (France)

France does not have just one world-class center back — they have two, or even three if we count Melvyn Richardson. Aymeric Minne’s development over the past few years has been remarkable. If he stays injury-free during the Euros, I believe he will make a bigger impact than ever before in major tournaments.

Juri Knorr (Germany)

I had almost written off Juri Knorr. Too individualistic, too careless, lacking confidence. Then came an outstanding autumn in Aalborg, and now I think Knorr has not only regained where he was “before” but also reached a new level in his game, showing far greater maturity. This will mean a lot for Germany.