Dubai: Everyone has their own World Cup first XI. Some go for the players who scored the greatest goals, while others pick the men who led their teams to the latter stages.
How many German players would make your team after their historic 7-1 beating of hosts Brazil? Would you go for more Argentine players in reward for carving their own path to the final?
Here is the team of the tournament as chosen by Gulf News Deputy Sports Editor Martin Downer. Let us know if you agree in the comments below.
Let's start at the front ...
Forward: Thomas Mueller (Germany)
We are seeing a legend in the making, according to the Gulf News deputy sports editor. Martin says "Mueller has really found the World Cup to his liking as, after winning the Golden Boot in South Africa four years ago, he only needs to net once in the final to win an unprecedented second top scorer award – and all before he turns 25."
Forward: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
The second man in Martin's front three is an easy, some might say obvious, choice. "He may not have been at his very best," says Martin, "but Messi has done more than enough to merit his place in this team. The Barcelona star scored four goals in the group stage and got a vital assist in the round of 16, but has been quiet since – maybe his time to really shine will be in Sunday’s final."
Forward: Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Martin says: "No matter what you think of his theatrics, Robben is undoubtedly one of the most effective players in Brazil thanks to his lightning pace, tricky dribbling and –being very diplomatic – his ability to attract fouls. Has scored three goals and also won a couple of important penalties for his side."
Midfielder: James Rodriguez (Colombia)
It's the Colombia star next for Martin, who says: "Rodriguez was a joy to watch as he inspired Colombia to the quarter-final stage, even without their star striker Radamel Falcao. The diminutive playmaker scored six times – including my goal of the tournament – and set up two, proving himself as a player to watch on the world stage over the next decade."
Midfielder: Toni Kroos (Germany)
Martin's next midfield man is another German: "Kroos has shown up as a real class act at this tournament, justifying the faith Joachim Loew showed by keeping him in the middle and shunting Mesut Ozil out wide." says Martin. "He may not be a showman, but his two goals, four assists and countless accurate passes have made him a contender for the Golden Ball award for best player."
MIdfielder: Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
Another Argentine makes Martin's top team. "Defensive midfielders have generally gone missing during this World Cup," he says. "But Mascherano has undoubtedly hit the heights – even though he normally plays at the back for Barcelona – to ensure the Argentina defence has been relatively untroubled."
Defender: Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina)
Martin says: "The best right-back in the EPL is now the best right-back in the World Cup. A truly consistent performer in both defence and attack and showed his tough side when playing on after taking a nasty blow to the mouth in the semi-final against the Netherlands."
Defender: Ron Vlaar (Netherlands)
Martin's most controversial choice? Let him have it in the comments below. Martin justifies his choice by saying: "Perhaps the most unlikely member of this team given his somewhat limited strengths and mixed performances for Aston Villa in the English Premier League. But the 6ft 3in centre-back has shown that old-school, no-nonsense defending is not dead – especially when the modern alternative is David Luiz’s pitiful performances for Brazil."
Defender: Mats Hummels (Germany)
Hummels is in the centre of defence for Martin's World Cup team. Martin says: "The rock on which Germany’s run to the final has been built, Hummels has shouldered responsibility well, despite seeing his original central defensive partner Per Mertesacker dropped mid-way through the tournament. Hummels has also contributed two goals, including the only goal of the game in the quarter-final win over France."
Defender: Daley Blind (Netherlands)
It's the Dutch defender at left-back for Martin. He says: "Blind has been a revelation on the left-hand side for the Netherlands in Brazil, raiding forward from his wing-back position to great effect while also playing his part in a defence that conceded just one goal in its final five matches."
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Martin puts the Germany custodian between the sticks in his team of the tournament. He says: "There were many contenders for this position in the early rounds, with Tim Howard (USA), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica), Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico), Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) and Rais M’Bolhi (Algeria) all kept busy enough to make their mark on the tournament. In the end, however, the consistency, presence and all-round skills of Neuer make him a certainty for the Golden Glove award."
Notable mentions: Ezeqiuel Garay (Argentina), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Sami Khedira (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Karim Benzema (France)
Coach: Louis van Gaal (Netherlands)
It's the Netherlands mastermind in the dugout for Team Downer: "Many critical eyes were always going to be on Van Gaal after it was announced before the tournament that he would be joining Manchester United – and he certainly hasn’t disappointed," says Martin. "The 62-year-old settled on a new 5-3-2 formation just the month before the World Cup, made some crucial tweaks against Mexico in the round of 16 and even sent on keeper Tim Krul as a penalty-saving specialist in the quarter-finals. Life certainly won’t be boring around Old Trafford next season."
