The rise of Joško Gvardiol.

Joško Gvardiol is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and the Croatia national team. Gvardiol plays as a centre-back, though he has often been utilized as a left-back.

The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football matches. It is governed by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Croatia. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions. 

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The rise of Aritz Elustondo.

Aritz Elustondo Irribarria is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Sociedad mainly as a right-back but also as a central defender. 

Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D., more commonly referred to as Real Sociedad, Erreala or Reala in Basque, La Real in Spanish, is a Basque professional sports club in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909. It plays its home matches at the Anoeta Stadium. 

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The rise of Otávio.

Otávio Edmilson da Silva Monteiro, commonly known as Otávio or Otavinho, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for Primeira Liga club Porto and the Portugal national team.

The Portugal national football team has represented Portugal in international men's football competition since 1921. The national team is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. 

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The rise of Ismaël Bennacer.

Ismaël Bennacer is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club AC Milan. Born in France, he represents the Algeria national team. At club level, Bennacer has represented teams in France, England and Italy throughout his career.

The Algeria national football team represents Algeria in men's international football and is governed by the Algerian Football Federation. The team plays their home matches at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers and Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran.

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The rise of Mikel Merino.

Mikel Merino Zazón is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Sociedad and the Spain national team. After starting out at Osasuna, he went on to play for Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Real Sociedad. 

The Spain national football team has represented Spain in international men's football competitions since 1920. It is governed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.

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The rise of Unai Simón.

Unai Simón Mendibil is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team. 

The Spain national football team has represented Spain in international men's football competitions since 1920. It is governed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.

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The rise of Konrad Laimer.

Konrad Laimer is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and the Austria national team.

The Austria national football team represents Austria in men's international football competition and it is controlled by the Austrian Football Association. Austria has qualified for seven FIFA World Cups, most recently in 1998.

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The rise of Moussa Diaby.

Moussa Diaby is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the France national team. 

The France national football team represents France in men's international football matches. It is governed by the French Football Federation, the governing body for football in France. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions.

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The rise of Wilfred Ndidi.

Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Leicester City and the Nigeria national team. Ndidi is known for his defensive prowess.

The Nigeria national football team represents Nigeria in men's international football. Governed by the Nigeria Football Federation, they are three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, with their most recent title in 2013. 

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The rise of Ronald Araujo.

Ronald Federico Araújo da Silva is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Barcelona and the Uruguay national team. 

The Uruguay national football team represents Uruguay in international men's football, and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The national team is commonly referred to as La Celeste.

Image Credit:  ronaldaraujo_4/instagram  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cly-550jq_P/