An ‘Unsung Hero’ is a player that was integral to their team(s), be that through playing a role that doesn’t traditionally receive a lot of plaudits, turning up for their team in big moments or going unnoticed due to the other stars they played with.

Michael Carrick is one of those players.

Carrick often doesn’t receive the plaudits he deserved due to his position and play-style both lending themselves to going under the radar and not grabbing the headlines.

Despite this, the best footballing minds noticed his high-level ability. Pep Guardiola said that Carrick was ‘one of the best holding midfielders [he’s] ever seen in his life’, likewise, Xavi called him a ‘complete player’. He is the very definition of underrated.

Carrick was capped 34 times by his country and has five Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, and two European titles to his name.