The ten best players at the World Cup to fill the ‘number 10’ position.
The World Cup this year has been more about the players behind the strikers, as the often feted number nine’s have seemingly gone missing this time around. Where Diego Costa, Fred and Gonzalo Higuain have failed, the men behind them have stepped up and made the tournament their own. Below is a list of the ten best that we have witnessed in Brazil this summer.
10. Michael Bradley – USA
The Toronto FC midfielder may not have had a great tournament by his own personal standards, but he still played a central part in the USA’s escape from the ‘Group of Death’. His tireless running and fine threaded passing made the American’s a genuine threat as Clint Dempsey was able to capitalise on anything that came his way.
9. Bryan Ruiz – Costa Rica
For someone widely regarded as a ‘Fulham flop’ Ruiz sure has looked like a world beater this summer. After bagging the goal to beat Italy and book their first ever appearance in the second round of a World Cup, he followed that up by notching another against Greece before tucking his penalty away in the shootout. A renewed transfer scramble for his signature is likely to ensue in the coming weeks.
8. Wayne Rooney – England
Despite England’s failure to get out of the group stage, the Three Lions actually played some good football, and Rooney, for once, was central to that. After providing the cross for Daniel Sturridge’s equaliser against Italy, he notched his own – his first at a World Cup – against Uruguay. Sadly sat out of the final game against Costa Rica, but can on for the last fifteen minutes when the game had already passed its boiling point.
7. Arturo Vidal – Chile
Though it was Alexis Sanchez that stole the show for Chile, it was Vial that sat behind the front men pulling the strings. The Juventus star was as dynamic as he had been all season despite not being 100% fit and the rush to land his signature this summer will not be more furious than ever.
6. Yacine Brahimi – Algeria
Algeria were another of the tournament’s surprise packages, and like Costa Rica made it out of the group stage for the first time in their history. Brahimi was a key figure in the side’s progression as his silky dribbling and deft passes gave the side an edge that Russia and South Korea couldn’t handle. Got himself on the scoresheet, too.
5. Wesley Sneijder – Netherlands
Arjen Robben has been the Dutch name on everyone’s lips so far this summer, and Sneijder has faded into the background a little more than he usually does. However, his influence is missed when not there and his stunning equaliser against Mexico announced that he still has some work to do in the tournament and that he is not afraid to do it.
4. Giovanni Dos Santos – Mexico
The former Spurs ace looked to be down and out at Spurs a few years ago, but he has staged an almighty comeback to establish himself as a genuine prospect once again. His creativity during the group stages helped the Mexicans climb out of a difficult group and he even managed to get himself on the scoresheet as they scared the Dutch in the final 16.
3. Neymar – Brazil
Sadly now ruled out of the tournament with injury, the Barca star has been crucial to the hosts making it to the semi-finals. The squad on a whole have been poor, but the 22-year-old has shouldered the hopes of the nation well to notch four goals and create more for his luckless teammates.
2. Lionel Messi – Argentina
Many had the audacity to question Messi’s performance against Bosnia before the final whistle had even blew, only for him to silence his critics by scoring a sensational winner midway through the second half. He has yet to show the wear and tear of a long season and continues to light up the tournament on Argentina’s march to the latter stages.
1. James Rodriguez – Colombia
Hands down the best player of the tournament so far. His six goals have propelled him to the top of the goal scoring charts and to the forefront of every club with £65m to spare’s wish list. His goals and assists had been behind a fancied Colombia’s impressive performances and the tournament will be less fun without him (and his creative goal celebrations) in it.
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