Pablo Rosario

The son of Dominican parents, but born on January 7, 1997 in Amsterdam, Pablo Rosario took his first steps at a local club and quickly caught the attention of Feyenoord. After a short spell in Rotterdam, he returned to the Dutch capital and joined the youth ranks of DWS. More comfortable closer to home, he stayed with his family and signed for Ajax, where he played until the junior level. In 2014, he moved to Almere City FC, where he enjoyed a meteoric rise and made his debut in the Dutch Second Division at just 18 years of age. Having demonstrated his quality in his first 40 professional games, he was called up to the Netherlands U19 team and moved to Eindhoven. After scoring seven goals for PSV's B team in 2016/17, he was called up to the Under-20 national team and became captain on only his third international appearance in that category - a status he would also achieve in the Under-21s. A few months later, he made his Eredivisie debut under Phillip Cocu and began contributing to the league title victory celebrated at the end of the season. With Mark van Bommel at the helm and Luuk de Jong - with whom he played in 51 games - as the main attacking reference, Pablo Rosario established himself at the highest level, made his debut for the senior team in a friendly against Belgium - his only international appearance for the Netherlands - and, just one year later, earned the right to wear the captain's armband. After four seasons and 138 appearances for PSV, he moved on to a new challenge: OGC Nice in France. Arriving on the Côte d’Azur with a reputation as a discreet player and a fighter who gives his all for the team, he commanded the French midfield on 79 matches and provided two assists before crossing paths with Francesco Farioli, who played him in 30 of the 34 Ligue 1 matches and in all rounds of the French Cup – and even saw him make his debut for the Dominican Republic national team. The Italian coach headed to Amsterdam, but the midfielder stayed in Nice, became captain and, as the most defensive midfielder or even centre-back, made another 36 appearances, scored four goals and provided another assist before landing in Portugal.