The best XI from the Spanish top tier in Brazil.
As the conclusion to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil draws ever closer, CaughtOffside takes a look at the finest XI of players at the tournament from La Liga.
GK – Keylor Navas, Costa Rica and Levante
After having a fine season in the Spanish top tier the Costa Rican No.1 impressed many more with his displays in South America as his side reached the quarter-finals against the odds.
RB – Toby Alderweireld, Belgium and Atletico Madrid
Despite the fact Atleti won the Spanish title and reached the Champions League final, Alderweireld’s first year at the Vicente Calderon Stadium was a disappointing one, but the Belgian remains a firm addition in Marc Wilmots’ team.
CB – Hector Moreno, Mexico and Espanyol
Although the Mexicans had a disastrous qualifying campaign by their standards, their showing in Brazil was pretty good and they got through the group stage having conceded just one goal largely thanks to this centre-back – who unfortunately suffered an injury against Netherlands in the last-16.
CB – Diego Godin, Uruguay and Atleico Madrid
May have had a poor game in the Uruguayans’ opener against Costa Rica in a 3-1 defeat and was lucky not be sent off against England, but scoring the winner against Italy to send his nation through earns Godin a place in our team.
LB – Dani Alves, Brazil and FC Barcelona
Admittedly the 30-year-old is generally a right-back, but for the purposes of this team we have moved the defender to the left and Alves also had the bonus to himself of not playing in the 7-1 hammering by Germany.
DM – Javier Mascherano, Argentina and FC Barcelona
Newly appointed Barca head coach Luis Enrique should take note, as when deployed as a defensive midfielder (and not a centre-back) there are few better in world football in this position than the Argentine.
CM – Sami Khedira, Germany and Real Madrid
Despite having spent much of the previous season injured and being regarded as underwhelming by many pundits, Khedira has proved any doubters wrong with his fine performances – particularity in the 7-1 thrashing of Brazil.
CM – Angel di Maria, Argentina and Real Madrid
Another from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu now and a player who has developed his game over the past 12 months to play in a deeper role, which has greatly benefited both his club and country.
AM – Yacine Brahimi, Algeria and Granada
Another of the surprise packages at the tournament were the Algerians, who progressed from Group H ahead of both Russia and South Korea and the Germans needed extra time to beat them in the last-16.
ST – Lionel Messi, Argentina and FC Barcelona
One of the main criticisms aimed at Messi when deciding whether to class the forward as one of the greatest of all time was that he couldn’t get it on the international stage, but four goals and a final later suggests otherwise.
ST – Neymar, Brazil and FC Barcelona
It’s Messi’s attacking partner at the Nou Camp now and a 22-year-old who essentially carried the entire hopes of the host nation on his young shoulders, scoring four goals before he was injured against Colombia in the quarter-finals.
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