Many Arsenal fans would unanimously answer Declan Rice when asked who the world's best midfielder is. After the Englishman led the 'Gunners' to a Premier League title after a 22-year drought and a Champions League final, there were even calls for him to be awarded the Ballon d'Or. However, the global football community is not yet fully convinced. This is reported by Goal.com .
Saturday provides the 27-year-old with the ideal opportunity to silence his critics. In the most important match of the European season, he will face Paris Saint-Germain. In the Budapest final, Rice will battle against three midfielders ranked higher than him. If he wins this central duel, there will be no doubt that he is the best in the world.
Rice is preparing for the biggest game of his club career, but his task will not be easy. PSG boasts the most balanced midfield line on the planet. Vitinha acts as the Parisians' 'metronome', dictating the tempo of the game. He has also proven his attacking prowess with 17 goals and assists in the 2025-26 season.
Joao Neves also poses a major threat. Although he does more of the 'dirty work', he stands out for his vision and precise passing. He has already proven how dangerous he is in the playoff matches against Liverpool and Bayern. This trio is completed by Fabian Ruiz, whose intelligent movement and creativity add dynamics to PSG's game.
Fabian Ruiz scored a brilliant goal against Arsenal last year. Having returned from injury, the Spanish international is expected to be a primary threat to the 'Gunners' again on Saturday. How Declan Rice performs against this star-studded trio will determine the fate of the final and his personal status.
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