And so, it’s all over – the 2014 World Cup
has been concluded. Many say the best
side Germany won, playing the best
football, and sealing victory in a
typically tight and tactical final against
Argentina with a Mario Gotze goal. Even
though all of them didn’t emerge
tournament winners, here is a list of top
10 players in Brazil
10. Mats Hummels (Germany)
In a competition where virtually no centre
half stood out, Hummels’ performances
were perhaps a little under-appreciated.
Not blessed with great pace and partnered
with the even slower Per Mertesacker in the
opening games, he helped make up a
rather unconvincing high line. But as the
tournament progressed, he slowed his
class, and was particularly good against the
French where he scored the solitary goal of
the game, evading Raphael Varane to put a
smart header past Hugo Lloris.
9. Neymar (Brazil)
It was supposed to be his tournament, and
for a while it appeared he would actually
live up to the ludicrous expectations placed
on his young shoulders. It wasn’t until he
was cruelly ruled out by injury however
that the extent to which his genius was
helping mask the many flaws in this
Brazilian team became apparent. He can
certainly be proud of his contributions.
8. Toni Kroos (Germany)
Two dreams came true in one night for the
young German after he confirmed post final
match his imminent transfer to Real
Madrid. Kroos was totally without peer in
the outstanding German midfield. Nobody
came close to him in terms of both ball
retention ability and for quality of
movement in the final third. After this
tournament his talent should finally be fully
appreciated across the globe.
7. Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Two quiet showings in two extremely cagey,
tactical games in the latter rounds
prevented the Dutchman from staking a
more serious claim for Golden Ball trophy,
but over the opening fixtures, Robben was
outstanding. Four goals in his first four
games and two outstanding performances
against the Spanish and Mexico led his side
further than most thought they could
possibly reach. Louis van Gaal’s tactics
were excellent throughout but ultimately it
was Robben who owed the credit for the
Dutch’s remarkable achievement in Brazil.
6. Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Simply the best goalkeeper on the planet
and one of the greatest of all time, Neuer
was lucky not to concede a foul for a
dangerous charge on Gonzalo Higuain in
the final, but otherwise, he was
immaculate. As an extremely gifted keeper,
the German was world-class in Brazil,
coming out of his area to play the ball from
defence in crucial moments. He was just a
sensational all-round footballer.
5. Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
More at home scrapping in midfield than
he was in his usual centre half position for
Barcelona, in both the final and semi-final
matches, Mascherano turned in the two
finest central midfield displays of the
competition. Complete with brilliant, timely
tackles, surprisingly effective distribution
and some masterful reading of the game,
he was the understated hero of his side’s
journey to the final.
4. Thomas Muller (Germany)
In a tournament where no centre forward
truly stood out, the best forward play of the
tournament came courtesy of the Bayern
Munich attacker. A classically scrappy hat-
trick in the opening game, a fine winning
goal against the USA and the opener in his
country’s historic mauling of Brazil
constituted a second successive excellent
World Cup for Muller. Miroslav Klose may
have broken the all-time record for goals
scored in World Cup games but, barring
injury, that record will surely be Muller’s by
Qatar 2022.
3. James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Golden boot winner, one of the goals of the
tournament scorer and the only player that
was outstanding in every single one of his
games, not reaching the final four was the
only reason Rodriguez was not the player
of the tournament. Regardless, the
Colombian was without doubt the
breakthrough star of the summer, proving
himself to be a perfect all-round No. 10.
His movements, passing, goal-scoring, and
even tackling in midfield were all first rate.
Only some overly aggressive tactics from
the Brazilians in the quarter-finals were
able to stop him dominating the game.
2. Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Following in the footsteps of his country’s
greatest ever player Franz Beckenbauer
exactly 40 years on, the German captain is a
more than worthy successor. By a distance
the best full back on the planet, he may be
the best central midfielder in the world too.
Brilliant in both positions for his country
throughout, Lahm is capable of dictating
play from almost anywhere on the field; he
is as sharp a tactical mind and as
technically gifted a player as you’re ever
likely to see and though not as spectacular
as Messi or James, he is now a World Cup
winning captain and fully deserving of the
honour.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Many scoffed at FIFA’s decision to award
the Golden Ball to the Argentine as the
player was made a victim of his own
phenomenal standards. Three truly
wonderful winning goals in each of his
group games helped mask a poor start to
the competition for his country; he then
played a crucial part in both goals in 1-0
victories over Switzerland and Belgium.
Clearly exhausted, burdened with obscene
pressure and man-marked by two,
sometimes three men at all times, the
Barcelona star was clearly some way from
his best – but was still a damn sight better
than everyone else.

it's obvious you watched the wrong world cup......where were you then? sleeping??......arjen. Robbin in 7th position...3 goals and 3 man of the match...... na wa oooooo