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The FIFA World Cup is football’s biggest stage where players can showcase their talents.
Here is my team of the World Cup, based on players who were influential in their team’s run.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany)
He had a rather quiet group stage but he was very crucial for his country in the knockout stages. He became a sweeper, saving his team from several counter attacks, particularly against Algeria. His composure puts off his opponent. He saved his team a lot of times.
Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, he certainly made his mark on the biggest stage of all.
Defender: Phillip Lahm (Germany)
Lahm has played some in different positions throughout his successful career. He started out the tournament in defensive midfield position but from the knockout stages onward was played in his natural position as a right back. His success has come from this position.
He makes forward runs unseen and chips in with some assists as seen against Brazil. His experience and leadership was very much in use for Germany’s route to the World Cup title.
Defender: Daley Blind (Netherlands)
Not many outside of Netherlands knew of Blind before the World Cup but with great performances on football’s biggest stage, they know him now. He sprung into people’s minds with his performance against Spain with two assists. He crowned a great World Cup with a goal in the third place play-off against Brazil.
Defender: Mats Hummels (Germany)
Another consistent man in the German defence. His importance and influence has come in the knockout stages of the World Cup. A very relaxed defender with an eye for goal and never really beaten, he has been the backbone for the German defence and scored against France to put his country into the semi-finals.
Defender: Ron Vlaar (Netherlands)
Having a poor season with Aston Villa in the English Premier League last season didn’t hinder Vlaaar from playing his best in the World Cup. A rock solid man at the back, he was always the last man to clear every danger.
His well-timed tackles and clearances were needed as the most experienced of the Dutch defenders. A third place medal would not be what he hoped for, but it wouldn’t be disappointing considering his team were never given a shout.
Midfielder: Toni Kroos (Germany)
He is very dependable in the German midfield trio. His set-piece deliveries have also been crucial to the German playing style at this World Cup. Always a willing runner, he has also helped himself and the team to two goals. With such performances in the World Cup, Real Madrid have surely gotten a quality player.
Midfielder: James Rodriguez (Columbia)
One of the finest players of the World Cup. His talent was there but he has exceeded everyone’s expectations. Scoring six goals and winning the golden boot in his first World Cup is a huge achievement for the young Colombian.
After such a wonderful campaign, he would not be short of suitors and he has already made it known he would love to join Real Madrid someday.
Midfielder: Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
At 30 years of age, he may still have one more World Cup in him. But nonetheless, this was a very good tournament for the dependable battler who does the team’s dirty work.
This could be noticed in his best match of the World Cup in the semi-finals against Netherlands, where he saved Argentina numerous times when defending.
Midfielder: Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Robben has by far been the most consistent, reliable and best player at this World Cup for Netherlands. As a direct player he always attacking and is very dangerous especially when he gets the ball on his left foot.
Besides his diving antics, he is a very special player and the fact he is 30 and was still his team’s best player says a lot about him.
Midfielder: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
He came into the World Cup with the weight of his team on him. He hasn’t sparked the World Cup in the manner we expect, but he always caries a threat when on the field. His importance has been shown when he’s scored and assisted his team to significant victories.
The defeat to Germany in the final will certainly mask his contribution to the team as a whole but it should not be forgotten how he lifted up his team.
Forward: Thomas Mueller (Germany)
A versatile player who isn’t every one’s cup of tea, Mueller has played as a winger, second striker as well as the lone striker in this tournament.
With an uncanny eye for goal, in his second world Cup tournament he has already scored 10 goals with 5 in Brazil. A very unselfish and dangerous player, his importance to this German team can’t be underestimated – especially in their run to the final.
Notable mentions
Keylor Navas, Jerome Boateng, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Neymar, Karim Benzema
My Golden Ball: James Rodriguez
Not just because of his goal tally but the manner in which he lit the team up even when they didn’t play to their best.
Best goal?
Tim Cahill’s volley against Netherlands wins it for me. Others may choose James Rodriguez’s volley against Uruguay, but it was on his favoured foot and that gives Cahill the edge. There was no time to control the ball, it was a one-time hit from a quite difficult angle executed with fluency.
Manager?
Many will argue Joachim Loew but I believe he had a talented squad overall and a World Cup title was always on the books. Louis van Gaal exceeded expectations, getting nine points in the group stages and going all the way to the semi-final before losing to Argentina, but beating Brazil in the third place play-off.
His substitutions have been very tactical and paid off – especially bringing on a goalkeeper just for the penalty shootouts. With a limited squad, he almost made the dream a reality.
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