The World Cup trophy has been handed to Spain as they overcame Argentina in a somewhat disappointing final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It’s been a superb tournament on the whole and it’s not time to pick our World Cup Team of the Tournament. There have been some incredible performances over the last six weeks, but we don’t think many can argue that this is the best XI that could have been selected.
Unai Simon (Spain) – Goalkeeper
Winner of the Golden Glove award. To be truthful, Simon didn’t have much to do throughout this tournament, but what he did do was impeccable. Kept David Raya out of the side which shows his quality, and marshalled his backline brilliantly.
Pedro Porro (Spain) – Right Back
The Tottenham full back missed Spain’s opener with Cape Verde but played every game after that and was excellent rilliant at both ends of the field, a constant menace down the right and scored crucial goals against Austria and France in the knockout stages. If he can carry this form into the club season, Spurs will be delighted.
Marc Cucurella (Spain) – Left Back
Another oft-maligned player was tremendous at full-back for Spain for another major tournament. Cucurella kept Jeremy Doku, Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi quiet in the quarters, semis and Final respectively, and deserves full credit for a superb campaign.
Pau Cubarsi (Spain) – Centre Back
The Young Player of the Tournament showed experience way beyond his years. Marshalled a defence that conceded just one goal across the whole tournament and will now join the ranks of legendary Spanish defenders Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique. What a career Cubarsi has ahead of him.
William Saliba (France) – Centre Back
Such a shame for Saliba and France that he had to come off in the first half of the semi final. The Arsenal man looked accomplished throughout the tournament and didn’t put at foot wrong as France blitzed all before them up until they met the Spanish. Saliba is a Rolls Royce defender and would be a strong addition to any team.
Jude Bellingham (England) – Centre Midfield
England’s hero against Mexico and Norway and scored a quite wonderful goal to seal the bronze medal for the Three Lions. Iconic, talismanic and an example for all, Bellingham showed the world that he is one of, if not, the best all-round midfielder on the planet at this tournament.
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) – Centre Midfield
A red card in the final was a dreadful way for the Chelsea man to end his tournament. Scored the winner against Egypt in that famous last-16 game and got the equaliser with a cracking long range effort in the semi final. His silly dismissal against Spain doesn’t diminish what was otherwise an excellent campaign Fernandez.
Rodri (Spain) – Centre Midfield
The midfield maestro added the World Cup Golden Ball award to his already glittering collection. Struggled for fitness during the club season but perhaps that helped him in North America as he made 109 more passes than any other player, an astonishing statistic. The captain of the champions takes the armband for this side.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Right Wing
How he didn’t win the Golden Ball is beyond me. 39 years old and almost single handedly dragged his nation to a successive World Cup wins. Messi shone bright in the group stage, and scored or assisted in every knockout game until the Final. Against Spain he struggled, but no one can deny the GOAT his place in this side.
Michael Olise (France) – Left Wing
Somehow didn’t manage to score but Olise gets in the side for his record-breaking haul of seven assists. A masterful debut showing from a magical player. His performances in the early-part of the tournament in particular were spectacular.
Kyllian Mbappe (France) – Centre Forward
A second Golden Boot for the World Cup’s leading goalscorer of all time. He’s managed it by the age of 26 and you’d be brave to bet against him extending his lead in the record books before he’s done. Went quiet in the semi-final against Spain, but 10 goals in eight games is a magnificent achievement at the pinnacle of the sport.
Bench (Honourable Mentions)
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
Made a fabulous save in the Final to keep his side in it as well as keeping his team in the contests against Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in their knockout games.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Hakimi showed once again that he’s one of the world’s best full-backs as he captained Morocco superbly to the quarter finals.
Mikel Merino (Spain)
The Arsenal man didn’t start a game but was the super-sub of the World Cup, scoring late winners against Portugal and Belgium in the knockout phase.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Haaland was one of the fan favourites at this World Cup, scoring seven goals and terrorising defences. He leaves with his reputation heightened even further.
Check out our Alternative Team of the Tournament here and let us know what you think in the comments.
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