Five underrated footballers in 2026

Rafiu Zakaria -
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Five Footballers Who Deserve More Recognition in 2026





In the glitz and glamour of the 2026 football season, with superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland dominating headlines, it is easy to overlook the players who quietly deliver match-winning performances without the fanfare. These are the unsung heroes the ones who consistently perform at the highest level but rarely receive the recognition they deserve. This article highlights five footballers who have been flying under the radar in 2026, explaining what makes each of them special and why fans should pay closer attention.

Manuel Akanji: The Math Genius Who Wins Everything

Club: Inter Milan (on loan from Manchester City  Position: Centre-Back  Age: 30

Manuel Akanji is arguably one of the most underrated central defenders in Europe. Despite boasting a trophy cabinet that would make any player envious including multiple Premier League titles, a Champions League, and now a Serie A title with Inter the Swiss international receives little fanfare.

Even Erling Haaland, his former teammate at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, described Akanji as "The Underrated One" in a 2024 interview. The centre-back is a no-frills type who just goes about his business in an incredibly efficient way, allowing others to hog the limelight.

What makes Akanji special is his tactical intelligence. At Manchester City, he excelled in Pep Guardiola's hybrid back-three system, with John Stones moving into midfield and Akanji playing as one of the two outside centre-backs. At Inter under Simone Inzaghi, he is once again thriving in a back-three system.

Beyond football, Akanji is also somewhat of a maths genius, gaining plenty of attention in England for his mental arithmetic skills often being quizzed on complicated multiplications during interviews. A true professional who lets his performances speak for themselves.

Désiré Doué: France's Hidden Gem

Club: Paris Saint-Germain   Position: Winger  Age: 21

Everyone falls for the individual brilliance and chemistry between Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappé. But nobody talks about Désiré Doué. Of France's 'Fantastic Four', he is the forgotten man—the "little brother" of the quartet.

Having only just turned 21, Doué has quietly become one of the revelations of his first World Cup with France. Operating from the left wing, he is a constant threat, using his dribbling ability and explosive pace to torment defenders. What stands out even more, however, is his work without the ball. Against Norway, according to SofaScore, he made seven ball recoveries, one interception, and won 50 per cent of his ground duels.

Doué is a complete footballer. As PSG coach Luis Enrique said last season: "He has great versatility. He can play inside or as a winger. He has a strong defensive mentality and the right attitude to keep developing here." For Didier Deschamps, he has become untouchable.

Across two seasons with PSG, Doué has recorded 29 goals and 22 assists in 102 appearances. He already knows what it feels like to win the Champions League, and now he wants to add a World Cup to his collection.

Bruno Fernandes: The Creative Force Carrying Manchester United

                                        

Club: Manchester United  Position: Midfielder  Age: 31

Few players have been as instrumental to their club's fortunes as Bruno Fernandes has been for Manchester United in 2026. With 13 goals and an astonishing 26 assists across all competitions, the Portuguese midfielder has been the heartbeat of United's resurgence.

His former Manchester United teammates, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, have both publicly argued that Fernandes deserves Ballon d'Or consideration. Pogba went further, stating: "Bruno Fernandes, in other big clubs, is in the top three Ballon D'Or. You put him in [Manchester] City, he's in the Ballon D'Or."

Fernandes' work rate is extraordinary. "He's everywhere on the pitch. He has a volume. He keeps running. He's smart. He can play two touches, one touch. He can shoot," Pogba said. Despite Manchester United not being in European competition and without a trophy this season, Fernandes has still produced numbers that rival any midfielder in world football.

At 31, he is just two assists shy of matching the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season (20), a record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. If he were playing for a more successful team, there would be no debate he would be a Ballon d'Or contender.

Ismael Saibari: The Eredivisie's Finest Making His Mark

Club: Bayern Munich  Position: Forward  Age: 23

Ismael Saibari's superb season for PSV may have gone largely unnoticed outside the Netherlands, but the Eredivisie's Player of the Year did enough to catch Bayern Munich's eye, earning a €55 million move to the Allianz Arena.

In 2025-26, Saibari scored 28 goals and provided nine assists while winning the Africa Cup of Nations, Eredivisie, and Johan Cruyff Schaal. The Moroccan forward netted in each of the Atlas Lions' group games at the World Cup before scoring the winning penalty against the Netherlands in the last-32 shootout victory.

Saibari is a complete forward capable of scoring from range, finishing inside the box, and creating chances for teammates. His Champions League performances for PSV were electrifying, attracting interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs. Now at Bayern, he is poised to become a household name.

Jordan Pickford: England's Reliable Last Line

Club: Everton  Position: Goalkeeper  Age: 32

Goalkeepers rarely receive the recognition they deserve unless they make spectacular saves, but Jordan Pickford has been consistently excellent for club and country for years. Despite playing for an Everton side that has struggled in the Premier League, Pickford has been named among the most underrated players in world football by The Athletic.

His performances for England have been particularly impressive. At the 2026 World Cup, Pickford has been commanding in goal, organizing his defence, and making crucial saves when called upon. His distribution is exceptional, often starting attacks with precise long passes to the forwards.

Pickford's consistency and reliability make him an unsung hero of this England side. Without his contributions, the Three Lions would not be as formidable as they are.

Why These Players Deserve More Recognition

The common thread among these five players is that they excel at the "unglamorous bits" of their jobs. They are not the ones scoring hat-tricks or producing moments of magic that go viral on social media. Instead, they are the ones who provide the platform for their more celebrated teammates to shine.

In a world where football coverage is increasingly dominated by goals, assists, and flashy skills, it's easy to overlook the players who do the dirty work. But as any coach will tell you, these are the players who win you trophies.

For a player to be classified as 'underrated', they are often dismissed or even ridiculed, but their contributions remain invaluable.

What to Watch For

If you want to appreciate these players more, pay attention to:

  • Manuel Akanji: Watch his positioning and reading of the game. He rarely makes a mistake and is always in the right place at the right time.
  • Désiré Doué: Look beyond the goals and assists. Notice his work rate, defensive contributions, and ability to win the ball back.
  • Bruno Fernandes: Observe his movement off the ball and how he creates space for teammates. His vision and passing range are world-class.
  • Ismael Saibari: Watch his versatility he can play anywhere across the front line and adapt to different tactical systems.
  • Jordan Pickford: Focus on his distribution and command of the penalty area. He is more than just a shot-stopper.

Conclusion

The 2026 football season has been dominated by familiar names, but the true beauty of the game lies in its depth. Players like Manuel Akanji, Désiré Doué, Bruno Fernandes, Ismael Saibari, and Jordan Pickford remind us that greatness isn't always measured in goals or headlines. Sometimes, it's found in the quiet consistency of those who make the spectacular possible.

These are the players who deserve more recognition not because they seek it, but because their contributions are too valuable to ignore. The next time you watch a match, take a moment to appreciate the unsung heroes. They are the heartbeat of the beautiful game.

Join the Discussion

Who do you think is the most underrated player in world football right now? Is there someone you believe deserves more recognition? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Sources & Further Reading

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About the Writer

Zakaria Abdul-Rafiu is a writer and Forest Resource Technology student at KNUST with a deep passion for global football and the stories that shape the beautiful game. At VoltFeed, he combines tactical analysis with a journalist's eye for the narratives that deserve more attention.

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