Performances on a big stage like the World Cup can make or break a player’s reputation. There really is no grander stage. Some thrive in the spotlight, others freeze.
In South Africa this summer, there was a surprisingly lengthy list of stars who flopped, including Wayne Rooney, Kaka and Fernando Torres. But others rose to the occasion and drove their teams towards the latter stages of the competition.
Here we have placed the most impressive performers into a Team of the Tournament:
Iker Casillas (Spain): Spain were miserly at the back, especially after the group stage, and Casillas was a commanding figure. His penalty save against Paraguay kept his team in the tournament and his saves from Arjen Robben in the final were equally vital. The Real Madrid man fully deserved to lift the trophy.
Sergio Ramos (Spain): The Spaniards played with little width in midfield so Ramos was encouraged to push forward at every opportunity. His energy levels are so high that he managed to contain the opposition winger whilst also threatening their full back. He was the brightest spark for Spain in the final and he nullified Dirk Kuyt.
Diego Lugano (Uruguay): The Uruguayans’ surprise march to the last four was built on a rock solid back four which shut out France and Mexico and pressed opponents tirelessly. Lugano led by example in organising his fellow defenders as Uruguay, the second smallest country in the tournament, overturned the odds to finish fourth in South Africa.
Carlos Puyol (Spain): His style of play might not be pretty but it was certainly effective in South Africa as he barely put a foot wrong. Strong in the air and in the tackle, his partnership with Gerard Pique was the best in the tournament. He was also the match-winner against the Germans in the semi-final.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Holland): Defying his age, the veteran left back was a key man for the Dutch. Van Bronckhorst’s composure, experience and ability to bomb forward gave Holland another option in the final third and his strike against Uruguay was sublime. It would have been a fitting ending to a great career if Holland had prevailed in the final.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany): His display in Germany’s engine room against Argentina was among the best in the tournament and he marked himself out as one of the game’s brightest talents. He did more than anyone to push Germany into the semi-finals but, like with Bayern Munich in the Champions League’s final, his team came up just short.
Wesley Sneijder (Holland): The Dutchman had an outstanding season and it carried over into the World Cup. His goal tally from midfield was mightily impressive and his passing kept Holland ticking over. He was desperately unlucky to be on the losing side in the final, especially after laying on the beautiful through ball that Robben could not convert.
Arjen Robben (Holland): The winger might have missed two golden chances in the final but that should take no gloss off his performances en route. It was a terrific sight to see Robben back to his best after all the injury problems and his header against Uruguay was just one of his highlights from the past month. His clever dribbling and pinpoint delivery gave defenders nightmares throughout the competition.
Thomas Müller (Germany): The outstanding young player in South Africa this summer and the Golden Boot winner, Müller had a tournament to remember. He proved himself to be a well-rounded player with an eye for goal and great vision (he added three assists to his five goals). He will be a star man for the Germans for years to come.
Diego Forlan (Uruguay): Forlan showed once again how far he has come since leaving Manchester United and, in contrast to his time at Old Trafford, he oozed confidence. He looked razor sharp throughout on his way to five goals. Forlan certainly enhanced his reputation as one of the world’s top finishers and he will be in demand this summer.
David Villa (Spain): The new Barcelona striker is looking like a bargain buy, even at such a high price. With Fernando Torres out of sorts, Villa stepped up with five goals to drive Spain to the final. His clinical finishing and non-stop movement kept Spain on track and he barely put a foot wrong. Villa could not find a way past the Dutch but he fully earned his winners’ medal.
