This year’s World Cup has been a very unpredictable tournament with lots of great nations going home early. Lots of surprise players have shone and many of the world’s best have also performed at the world’s highest level. Today we take a look at the five top players from the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
1.Thomas Muller of Germany has had an outstanding tournament so far bagging a hat trick in the Germans World Cup opener against Portugal. He also got the winner against USA in their final group game to ensure Germany as group winners. Thomas Muller, who was the talisman for Bayern Munich in the club season, has played the same role for Germany so far this tournament. His overall play is outstanding and he contributes to the team in so many ways. He is either always in the box getting in between the defenders causing havoc, or out on the wing supplying pinpoint crosses. He is definitely going to be a crucial player for Germany in the knockout stages as they look for their fourth World Cup.
2. Lionel Messi of Argentina has been without a doubt one of the best players in this tournament. Four time Player of The Year, and undoubtedly one of the best players to ever play football, Lionel Messi has popped up at the right time for Argentina, scoring 4 of the 6 goals Argentina scored in the group stage. The way he plays is speechless, what he does, no one can do. Messi will need to keep his form up heading into the knockout stages of the tournament. Many saying that Messi needs to win a World Cup to go down as the best player ever, if he continues to perform the way he is then he will be on track to do so. He is looking to guide his nation to their third World Cup win.
3. Arjen Robben of The Netherlands has been sublime in the tournament so far. Scoring 3 goals, the Dutch winger has once again shown the World his talent. The pace Robben has his incredible for 30 years old. Without him the Dutch would of struggled to do much in the group stage. He makes a big difference when on the field and the whole team plays a lot better. With what was his best season for Bayern Munich, Arjen Robben has brought his form from the club level, to the international level. His style of play is amazing and he is such an irreplaceable player. With him in your side, you are bound to score goals. We will see if Robben can help his nation to World Cup glory after the heartbreak in South Africa.
4. James Rodriguez of Colombia has made a name for himself in the World Cup so far. Scoring 3 goals and assisting 2 in 3 games, the 22 year old is letting the big clubs know who he is. James had a stellar season recently joining AS Monaco from FC Porto and will for sure be on the radar of many top clubs. He has won Man Of The Match in all three matches and has scored in every game he has played in. James Rodriguez can play a variety of positions including left wing, right wing, and centre attacking midfield. His pace and trickery is a defenders worst nightmare. When he runs with the ball he is so hard to stop and his finishing for a midfielder is amazing. James will have to play a key role in the knockout stages for Colombia to make a surprise in this World Cup.
5. Neymar of Brazil has lived up to his expectations so far in this tournament, scoring 4 goals in 3 games Neymar has proved his critics wrong by performing on the greatest stage in football. Going into the World Cup, the pressure the 22 year old has was insane. A whole nation on his shoulders screaming his name, Neymar has handled the pressure well. The way he plays is such an attractive style and his skill is one of the best, the pace he has is absolutely insane and he has a natural goal scoring prowess. His first season at Barçelona was decent, but with the way he has been playing with Brazil, you cannot doubt that Neymar will have an amazing season coming up. This is his time to shine, a World Cup in his backyard. The potential Neymar has his amazing and he has such a bright future ahead of himself.
There has been more than 5 good players at the World Cup this year and it is hard to round it down to 5. Let’s hope to see lots of talent in the knockout stages, we have an exciting few weeks of football to come.