Lucas Beraldo

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

Sitting atop Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain's title defense charges forward with momentum—three wins from their last five matches—and amid the constellation of attacking superstars, 22-year-old Lucas Beraldo has quietly emerged as Luis Enrique's defensive cornerstone. The Brazilian centre-back has been a pillar of consistency with 15 appearances and 1,187 minutes this season, contributing one crucial goal while maintaining remarkable discipline—just a single yellow card adorning his record. His €22 million market value reflects a meteoric rise: a modern defensive anchor whose aerial dominance and positional intelligence provide the bedrock for PSG's freewheeling attack. While headlines chase Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's wizardry and Randal Kolo Muani's finishing, Beraldo operates in the shadows, marshaling a backline that keeps Parisian ambitions firmly on course. At 22, he's no mere prospect—he's the steadying force ensuring PSG's galaxy of stars can shine brightest when it matters most.