Adrien Rabiot

Analysis: Rabiot played a major role in France's much-improved second-half performance, first teeing up Desire Doue for a shot that forced a save from Edouard Mendy in the 74th minute before delivering the pass that Bradley Barcola turned into a goal in the 82nd minute. He brought a steady hand to the midfield throughout the match and helped France seize control of the tempo once the side found its groove after halftime. Rabiot's veteran presence and composure proved invaluable as France gradually wore down a resilient Senegal squad.

May 27, 2026

Box-to-box role for France

Rabiot has been named in France's World Cup squad and is expected to be a key presence in the engine room as coach Didier Deschamps looks to balance creativity and defensive solidity in the middle of the park.

Analysis: Rabiot finishes the season still showcasing his status as one of the most complete box-to-box midfielders in European football, posting six goals, four assists, 60 crosses, and 27 chances created while also delivering strong defensive output with 57 tackles, 21 interceptions, and 41 clearances in 29 appearances (28 starts) for AC Milan following his controversial departure from Marseille earlier in the campaign. The veteran international brings a blend of physical edge, technical quality, and a true winning mentality to France's midfield that very few players can match, and his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball makes him a key piece in coach Didier Deschamps' system. Rabiot enters the tournament with a slight inside track to start alongside Aurelien Tchouameni in a balanced double pivot behind the front four.