Yahoo7 Sport Team of the World Cup

Neuer was announced by FIFA as the world’s best keeper for the 2013/14 season and lived up to this title. On numerous occasions the German keeper demonstrated his sharp reflexes and his unparalleled distribution. Neuer had a 90 per cent distribution success rate, a stat that any midfielder in the world would aspire to. He also acted as a sweeper for his side – making him increasingly valuable as a defensive asset. He is the full package.

Lahm is one of the most talented footballers in the world purely based on his versatility and ability to perform in any assigned position. For Germany, he began the tournament as a holding midfielder and then moved into his preferred position as a right back. His consistency and retention of the ball is exceptional – he never gives it away and maintains around a 90% pass completion rate. He did immensely well in both midfield and defence.

Until being eliminated Costa Rica were the best defensive side in the tournament and Gonzalez was integral in ensuring this. He was solid at the back, his leadership and ability reflected as his side only conceded two goals in the entire tournament. Keep in mind they had to play former world champions and one of the goals they conceded was a dodgy penalty. Over the course of the four games played, Gonzalez did not put a foot wrong, continually organising his back line and making last-ditch tackles.

Already widely regarded as the best centre back in the world, he justified why he holds such a status. He was the heart of the Brazilian defence and along with Neymar was Brazil’s most relied upon player. Silva played an integral part of a Brazilian squad that was not so much built upon all out attack, but rather a solid defence and hurting teams on the counter. He is a top-class defender and displayed this despite being surrounded by the likes David Luiz and Marcelo. As soon as he was suspended it all fell apart without him.

Blind was utilized at left-back, left wing-back and central midfield for the Dutch and delivered a superbly consistent string of performances. His two assists against Spain and first international goal in the playoff win over Brazil were the icing on the cake for the 24-year-old. He is an all-round footballer who has enhanced his reputation significantly.

Could have easily chosen all of the German midfielders as each were superb. In the last couple of games they dominated possession and were very hard to get the ball off. Kroos is an extremely versatile player who featured as an attacking midfielder and a holding midfielder. He had a key role in linking the play from back to front. He also controlled the tempo of games.

Mascherano was Argentina’s best player. He was deployed as a holding midfielder, sitting just in front of the defence and was a rock for Argentina. The South Americans were the best defensive side at the tournament and Mascherano was central to this. He helped the side to three clean sheets and allowed the attacking stars more freedom to flourish. His performance against Netherlands – capped by a stunning late block on Arjen Robben – was arguably the best of his 104 international matches.

The average 22-year-old doesn’t have the weight of a nation on his shoulders. But Neymar isn’t your average 22-year-old. Neymar is the man who carried Brazil to the semi-finals of the World Cup. His dribbling skills and play-making ability reminiscent of his compatriot Ronaldinho and his explosive pace tore defences apart. The attacker has grown during his time at Barca and this showed in Brazil, he diversified his game in order to make him increasingly unpredictable and difficult to mark.

Received the golden boot award and should have received the golden ball for his efforts at the World Cup. Not only did he score some outrageous goals – including his stunning volley against Uruguay – but his overall performance in each of his games was fantastic. At only 22 years old he has the world at his feet – as well as incredible technical ability, passing range and vision – he has all the features of the perfect number 10.

He was on fire all tournament and constantly looked threatening. Every time he gets the ball he looks like he is going to hurt the opposition. He has ridiculous pace as well as a clinical eye for goal.

The role of a centre forward is simple – score goals. It does not matter how, but as long as you are scoring then you keep your spot. Muller is not only a scorer but he is Germany’s most consistent World Cup performer. The Golden Boot winner from 2010 bagged a hat-trick against Portugal and never looked back. He hit the winner against USA and proved decisive in extra-time versus Algeria before he tore the Brazil defence to shreds in the last four and delivered another tireless showing against Argentina.