Ryan Gauld

Ryan Stewart Gauld (born 16 December 1995) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps FC, whom he captains, and the Scotland national team. Gauld began his professional career at Dundee United, where he helped them reach the 2014 Scottish Cup final, and his abilities on the ball earned comparisons to Lionel Messi from the Scottish media. In July 2014, he transferred to Portuguese club Sporting CP for a fee of around £3 million. Gauld mainly appeared for the club's B team, and was also loaned to Vitória de Setúbal, Aves, Farense and Hibernian. In July 2019, Gauld moved to Farense on a permanent basis, winning promotion in his first season and scoring nine goals in each of his two years. In July 2021, he signed for MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps, where he won the Canadian Championship in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Gauld represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 levels. He made his debut for the senior team in September 2024, a decade after first being called up.