Mascherano and Rodriguez head FEN World Cup XI

Rodriguez

Football Express News picked their stand out XI from the World Cup finals in Brazil and it saw Colombia’s James Rodriguez and Argentina’s Javier Mascherano included.

It has been a World Cup full of great individual performances from players who play their football all over the World, but when FEN sat down to discuss their top eleven players from the tournament – it was hard to look elsewhere from the below selection of players – ten of them included in the Golden Ball nominees.

Keeper – Manuel Neuer

The German keeper has once again been in typically impressive form, producing some world class saves but also acting as a leader and sweeper for his country. His determination and consistency saw him selected above the likes of Argentina’s Sergio Romero and Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas.

Defender – Phillip Lahm, Mats Hummels and Javier Mascherano

What can be said about the above three players – their consistency and 10-out-of-10 performances this summer have helped their country reach the World Cup final.

Lahm, who has played in a more advanced midfield role for Bayern Munich of late, reverted back to his old right back role and is one step away from lifting the trophy as captain of Germany on Sunday.

Hummels, who missed a large part of Borussia Dortmund’s season through injury has returned to produce to same kind of form that has seen him linked with a move to Barcelona and Real Madrid. His inclusion in the starting line-up against Argentina on Sunday evening is a must.

Whilst, Mascherano of Argentina, who can play at either centre-back or midfield – has simply been outstanding. His performances for Argentina have trumped even those of Lionel Messi, including a last ditch tackle to deny Arjen Robben last week in the semi-final.

Midfield – Angel Di Maria, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, James Rodriguez

Picking four better mid fielders at the World Cup this summer than Di Maria, Kroos, Robben and Rodriguez is hard to do. The four have simply been impeccable for their country’s. Angel Di Maria missed the semi-final against Netherlands last week but he is hoping to return for the final, adding an extra quality to Argentina.

Kroos of Germany missed some of last season with Bayern Munich due to the sheer amount of options available at the Bavarian club and his future has been discussed since the turn of the year. Nevertheless, the German midfielder put all that to one side to produce six consistent performances so far in the tournament.

Arjen Robben – you either love him or hate him. But, one thing is for sure – he has had a great 2014 World Cup. The Bayern Munich winger has guided his country to a third place finish with his speed, trickery and assists.

Arguably the best player of the tournament and still leading scorer – despite his country going out – James Rodriguez.

Monaco’s exciting play maker set the tournament alight with his performances, including a superb contender for goal of the tournament against Uruguay.

Forward – Lionel Messi, Neymar

Barcelona’s duo have not been consistently great in terms of goals, but they have both played an important part in the whole appeal and success of the World Cup. Neymar’s appeal and likeability saw his country adopt a sense of belief that they could win the World Cup in home soil, but his injury in the quarter-final saw them fall short.

Messi, who has been heavily criticised lately about his performances for Argentina has now become a hero – alongside the great Diego Maradona and with one game left – the World Cup final, could he trump Diego and become arguably – the greatest ever footballer.


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