Franck Kessié

Franck Kessié is the captain of Cote d'Ivoire and a powerful box-to-box midfielder who gave his side the lead against Germany in Toronto on 20 June 2026, before Germany came back to win 2-1 and reach the knockout round. His goal kept Cote d'Ivoire's hopes alive briefly in a group-stage match that ultimately confirmed Germany's progression.

Kessié built his reputation in Serie A with AC Milan, where he was one of the best defensive midfielders in Italy during the club's 2021-22 Scudetto-winning season. He subsequently moved to Barcelona and has also represented Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. A combative, energetic presence who also contributes goals, he has long been central to the Ivorian national team and became captain as the country consolidated their position as one of Africa's leading football nations.

Cote d'Ivoire were defending the Africa Cup of Nations title they won in early 2024, and their 2026 World Cup campaign attracted attention as a measure of African football's continuing development at the global level. Kessié's role as captain and scorer against Germany placed him at the forefront of that narrative.