8) Mats Hummels (Germany)
Rated as one of the best defenders in Europe after his performances with Borussia Dortmund in recent years, Mats Hummels has now truly established himself on the international stage with some rock-solid displays for Germany as they lifted the World Cup this summer. The 25-year-old scored two goals en route to the final for Joachim Low’s side, and will surely go down as one of the players of the tournament, and one who kept Golden Ball winner Messi pretty quiet in Sunday’s final.