TUNISIA

Without a doubt, the biggest star of the Tunisian national team. In 2021, the national FA organised a special press conference to officially present Mejbri, in a first for a dual-nationality player choosing Tunisia. The young midfielder was emerging at Manchester United and had been capped by France at youth level, but said: “My heart chose Tunisia. You do not choose a national team by default or keep a country waiting.” Not only is Mejbri a star on the pitch, but he also speaks with remarkable maturity, something that greatly appeals to Tunisian fans. Following Tunisia’s surprise elimination against Mali at Afcon 2025, he criticised the state of football development in Tunisia. “We dream a lot, but we do not work enough. We do not educate ourselves. We must ask ourselves serious questions because we have fallen far behind.” Now at Burnley, the playmaker who earned comparisons with David Beckham while at United’s academy, always stood out, as one of them said: “He had a unique style, with big blond hair. Where you could find a pitch and a ball, you would find Hannibal.”