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‘I feel free’: Sergiño Dest has become the United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) unpredictable weapon at the World Cup, as Mauricio Pochettino continues to unleash his attacking flair.

Few players in modern football mirror the 25-year-old’s fearless, expressive style, and Pochettino has crafted a role that allows Dest to attack with freedom and confidence.

Dest’s highlight compilations tell a consistent story — pure joy. After every major match, he gathers clips that showcase his skills, each moment radiating happiness and creativity. For Dest, football is about entertaining, about bringing back the artistry that many believe has faded from the modern game. Even on the World Cup stage, that showman’s mindset remains unchanged.

Following victories over Paraguay and Australia, Dest’s highlights were plentiful — dazzling dribbles, explosive sprints, slick flicks, and clever one-twos. Despite the pressure of the global stage, Dest continues to play with the same flair and fearlessness that define him.

“I feel free,” the USMNT defender said on the Scuffed Podcast. “Now it doesn’t matter; I can try things, and if I lose it, I lose it. If not, I do my thing. That gives me the freedom not to worry about losing the ball.”

Under Pochettino, the PSV Eindhoven full-back has been given unprecedented freedom — and he’s thriving. As the USMNT heads into the knockout rounds, Dest’s creativity and confidence have become vital in maintaining the team’s attacking rhythm and joyful energy this summer.

“I’ve always loved to attack,” Dest added. “And now, I can attack even more.”

Looking to dominate

Before the USMNT’s clash with Australia, Dest was asked who the best one-on-one dribbler in the squad was — aside from himself. Laughing, he replied, “I think Christian [Pulisic]. He’s really good one-on-one.” After a brief pause, he added, “Let me stay with Christian.”

Without Pulisic in that match, Dest more than justified his reputation. While official stats credited him with just two successful dribbles, the eye test told a different story. Against Australia, he repeatedly tormented defenders, took more shots than any teammate, and linked up effectively with Weston McKennie to cause chaos on the right flank. It was pure confidence — no hesitation, no fear.

“Whenever I have the ball and go up against these guys, I know I’m going past you — and then past the next one too,” he told GOAL last autumn. “I feel confident. Everyone can defend me, sure, but I’ll still go by them. I love those moments. It reminds me of being a kid and watching my idols — Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Robinho, Neymar, Adriano — the Brazilian greats. Those skillful players were my heroes.”

He continued, “Beating a player is the most beautiful act in football. Doing it with flair — that’s what makes the game enjoyable to watch.”

Dest was even more dominant against Paraguay. In one memorable sequence, he beat a defender, slowed down, and then beat him again — a move that summed up his confidence. He completed four dribbles and delivered five key passes into the final third. “We always want to play that way,” he said afterward. “It shows dominance. You can only express yourself like that when you’re controlling the game.”

The numbers

Statistically, Dest has impressed too. Through the group stage, he ranks joint-eighth among all players for successful dribbles per 90 minutes — a figure that aligns perfectly with what the fans have witnessed.

Those ahead of him include elite attacking talents — Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, Curaçao’s Tahith Chong, Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, and Germany’s Jamal Musiala — all central to their teams’ offensive strategies. Dest, by contrast, isn’t the main attacking hub, but rather a catalyst from deeper positions.

That’s by design. After three group matches, the USMNT sits fifth in box touches and 10th in possession, numbers slightly skewed by a balanced contest against Uruguay. The team attacks in waves, and Dest’s wave comes from a unique position — familiar yet redefined.

“The chemistry is really high right now,” Dest said. “Everyone’s confident, everyone believes. That takes time, and [Pochettino] has had that time. We’re in a great place to show our worth.”

A different role

For much of his career, Dest’s reputation has been built on his attacking output from full-back. Comfortable on both flanks, he has always been a forward-thinking defender. It’s what earned him a move to Barcelona in 2020 and has made him one of the Eredivisie’s most dangerous wide players in 2026.

During early USMNT training sessions, Dest identified himself as a wing-back — only for captain Tim Ream to jokingly correct him. “Serge is a right winger,” Ream said. “In our video review, we saw moments where he was so high he was practically a winger.”

That’s been the case throughout this World Cup. Operating almost as an advanced winger, Dest pushes high up the pitch, with Alex Freeman covering behind him as a hybrid right-back and third centre-back. This structure gives Dest licence to attack without restraint.

“I think we’ve got a great partnership on the right side,” Dest said of Freeman. “He’s strong, tall, quick, and a solid defender. We can even switch roles sometimes, which makes it harder for opponents because we’re unpredictable.”

In truth, Dest rarely drops deep. He stays high, constantly probing and creating danger, relieved of many traditional defensive duties.

“Everyone knows attacking is my best quality,” he explained. “This role gives me more space and freedom higher up the pitch. I can take more risks and help create two-on-one situations or scoring chances. I enjoy the position. Wherever the coach or the team needs me, I’ll play.”

As the USMNT prepares for its Round of 32 encounter with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Dest’s role will again be crucial — and his attacking instincts will likely be central to the team’s plans.

A point to prove

Dest has been here before. In the 2022 World Cup, he played 75 minutes in a painful defeat to the Netherlands — a nation close to his heart as the place where he grew up. That loss was personal and instructive, a moment that shaped his mindset for future tournaments.

“Knockout rounds are always tough,” he said. “You never know what to expect because it’s one game. I’ve never faced Bosnia before, so it won’t be easy. But we’re a different side now — more mature, more experienced. We’ve shown that in this tournament. They know it’ll be a tough game.”

He added, “We’re all a bit older now, more experienced. There are new faces too, but everyone’s confident. Winning the first two games and topping the group helps, and now we really believe we can go far.”

This summer, Dest is convinced things will be different. He knows his influence could be decisive — and, under Pochettino’s guidance, he finally has the creative freedom to express himself fully, just the way he’s always wanted.