Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben feature, but there’s no place for Cristiano Ronaldo…
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.
According to football stats aggregator WhoScored, who calculate and rank a player’s performance based on their overall contribution to matches, these ten stars have outperformed everyone else in the World Cup so far this summer…
10) James Rodriguez – Colombia – 8.33 rating
AS Monaco’s multi-million Colombian is proving perhaps why the French side paid such huge money for him last summer. He’s bagged twice for his country so far – but also provided a consistently creative presence in the final third.
9) Serge Aurier – Ivory Coast – 8.35 rating
The Arsenal target is expected to arrive at the Emirates to replace the departing Bacary Sagna, and fans of the Gunners will hope to see more of the two assists Aurier provided for his country against Japan.
8) Alexis Sanchez – Chile – 8.36 rating
The Barcelona owned South American has contributed a goal and an assist apiece so far – helping his country qualify for the next round at the expense of World Cup holders Spain.
7) Abdelmoumene Djabou – Algeria – 8.42 rating
Djabou’s only played one match so far against South Korea – but scored and assisted a goal to put the Asian side. He also made two dribbles, and completed two key passes as well.
6) Robin van Persie – Netherlands – 8.56 rating
van Persie has so far taken this tournament by storm, scoring one of the best headers even seen at the World Cup against Spain, and humiliating Iker Casillas with another effort in the same game. Manchester United fans will be delighted that he enjoys playing under Louis van Gaal so much.
5) Oscar – Brazil – 8.75 rating
The Chelsea man scored a toe-poke from outside the area in Brazil’s opener against Croatia, and played a number of key passes against Mexico as well.
4) Lionel Messi – Argentina – 9.06 rating
Two games, two brilliant match-winning goals for the four time Ballon -Dor winner. This could well be the international tournament Messi finally stamps his brilliance on…
3) Arjen Robben – Netherlands – 9.13 rating
The Dutch dynamo helped RVP put the sword to Spain, and bagged another against Australia to take his tournament tally to three. There probably isn’t a better dribbler in world football right now.
2) Mario Mandzukic – Croatia – 9.2 rating
One game, two goals for the wanted Croatian striker. Don’t be surprised to see him competing in the Premier League next term with either Chelsea or Arsenal.
1) Karim Benzema – France – 9.3 rating
Benzema’s scored three, had two goals ruled out, had a further goal ruled because the referee blew for full-time, and missed a penalty! So really, he could have scored seven by now! In short, he’s been phenomenal – and is spearheading the impressive France side brilliantly.
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