Ismaïla Sarr

Arriving at the World Cup in the best form of his career, Sarr was Senegal's right-wing spark and started vs France. A product of Senegal's Génération Foot academy, he came through Metz and Rennes (Coupe de France 2019) before a club-record move to Watford, then Marseille, and finally Crystal Palace in 2024. His 2025/26 season was a breakout: 21 goals in 45 games across all competitions, and a starring role in Palace's first major European trophy — he was the UEFA Conference League's top scorer with 9 goals and was named the competition's Player of the Season, also collecting an FA Cup and Community Shield. Manager Oliver Glasner was unsurprised: "It's a great season. Honestly, I predicted it before the season... He's in fantastic shape." For Senegal, Sarr is an AFCON 2021 winner and scored at the 2022 World Cup vs Ecuador, building on a 2018 debut tournament. Now 28 and at his peak, he is one of Pape Thiaw's most dangerous outlets.