STARTING XI

GK – Hugo Lloris (France)

Absolutely flawless all the way until the last half hour of the tournament but by then it didn’t really matter. Lloris was a steady pair of hands at the back for the French, captaining a team with a fair few young stars and keeping it all in line. Then there’s the shot-stopping, surging back into world class status after a rough season for Tottenham.

RB – Kieran Trippier (England)

Crazy to think this before the tournament began but Trippier was arguably England’s best player. The Spurs wingback was full of energy, always an option getting down that flank while not avoiding his defensive responsibilities at the same time. Oh damn and that set piece delivery? Twist it like Trippier. Magnificent.

CB – Raphaël Varane (France)

Dominant in the air, skilful on the deck, composed in his own head. Varane was anticipated as a future superstar defender as a teenager when he signed with Real Madrid. He’s now officially reached those levels. His performance in the final proved he’d saved his best ‘til last too. And how about this: to go with his World Cup title he’s also won four Champions Leagues, two Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, two Spanish Super Cups, three Club World Cups and three European Super Cups. Not bad for a 25 year old.

CB – Diego Godín (Uruguay)

Just another reminder over the last month that Diego Godín remains as good a defender as anybody else out there. He was the standout man as Uruguay didn’t even concede a goal in the group stages and they only lost in the quarters because they ran into eventual champs France. Plenty of great defensive performers that he held off for this spot but that’s what the bench is for.

LB – Marcelo (Brazil)

Probably the most controversial of all these picks but I thought the Real Madrid fella was the best of the bunch for Brazil in that quarter-final. The guy’s got an unstoppable engine. He never quits. Always good for a quick pass, a fine cross or a rapid run down that left pass. Links up brilliantly. Knows how to make a scrappy tackle. That’s your ideal left back there. Lucas Hernandez of France was the only other LB who stood out.

RM – Eden Hazard (Belgium)

When Belgium were trying to kill off the last ten minutes of the game against Brazil, all they needed to do (aside from rely on one mind-bending Courtois save and a couple missed chances) was get the ball to Eden Hazard. His unparalleled balance and close control meant a drop of a shoulder and either he was free into space or he’d won a free kick. And he did this all tournament. Scored three goals and created a few more. If Real Madrid don’t want him now then they’re insane.

CM – Luka Modrić (Croatia)

Golden Ball winner. Very likely the finest midfielder on the planet these days. The guy’s got the touch, he’s got the vision, he’s got the mentality, he’s got the workrate… he’s got the lot. Scores some ripper goals too, like that one against Argentina. One of those players that always looks like they’ve got more time on the ball than anyone else around them. First name on this teamsheet.

CM – N’Golo Kanté (France)

So shy that Steven N’Zonzi had to force him to have his moment with the World Cup trophy during the immediate celebrations. Kanté once again stepped up when given the opportunity. There isn’t a player on the planet who covers more ground more comprehensively. Nice and quiet but a leader by example. The definition of an undercover genius. There’s a reason his teammates are all singing his name.

LM – Ivan Perišić (Croatia)

He’s a strange player, this chap. Sometimes you look at him and wonder what he’s even doing there but other times he plays like he did in Russia and he’s unbelievable. He’s got speed and power with the ability to beat defenders and get a shot or cross off. Doesn’t skip his defensive duties (though should probably keep his hands in close) and scores 100 for determination. Not sure that he’s a top class player but he’s a perfect fit for this Croatia team and was their most dangerous player all tournament.

FW – Kylian Mbappé (France)

19 years old and doing things that only Pele has ever done. Already one of the most expensive players ever. Extremely humble off the field, extremely frightening on it. The speed that this guy has, you just can’t touch him. Then chuck in his clever runs and his goal-scoring knack and, to be completely frank about it, you just can’t defend him. There are no answers for this guy. Mbappé is already the finished product and the prospect of a decade of this guy at the peak of the sport is a blissful one.

FW – Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)

Four goals in six games, leading from the front and flexing every bit of the potential he’s had since he debuted for Anderlecht as a 16 year old. Lukaku is the real deal. Super quick and incredibly strong with a ruthless finishing touch but also a selfless team spirit. An ideal modern centre forward.  

RESERVES

GK – Thibault Courtois (Belgium)

The actual Golden Glove winner but I’ve got him as backup to the man who captained the winning team to the trophy – hey these are slim margins. Courtois was remarkable, the most consistent of the top tier keepers in Russia, and the save he made to deny Neymar a late equaliser against Brazil was as good as any of ‘em.

GK – Jordan Pickford (England)

And sneaking in third is Old Picky. Superb distribution, a long highlight reel of magical saves and some penalty shootout heroics to boot. Enough to give him the edge over folks like Danijel Subasic, Kasper Schmeichel, Guillermo Ochoa, Igo Akinfeev… mate, I honestly have never known a World Cup with so many incredible goalkeeping performances.

DEF – Šime Vrsaljko (Croatia)

Didn’t matter if he had to play through injury, Vrsaljko was there. The Atletico Madrid right back was supposed to miss the semi-final with a busted knee but somehow recovered even after being ruled out and played an absolute blinder, the icing on the cake of a fine tournament for him.

DEF – Toby Alderweireld (Belgium)

Right so thiiiis is why he’s being linked with a massive transfer. After being one of the Premier League’s finest ever since he arrived at Southampton he found himself dropped at Spurs after coming back from injury last season. Well, he just proved that he’s better than that with a wonderful tournament full of genuine non-compromising defence. He bossed that show for the Red Devils (and might do the same for another Red Devils if that transfer does happen).

DEF – Samuel Umtiti (France)

The other partner of the champion defence. As good a passer out of the back as there is on the planet, Umtiti barely put a foot wrong all month and scored the decisive goal in the semi to put France into the final. Another French centreback scoring rare but essential goals at a World Cup, aye? Umtiti keeps the English and Swedish pairings of John Stones, Harry Maguire, Andreas Granqvist and Victor Lindelöf at arm’s length. And Croatia’s Domagoj Vida too. Also woulda liked to get Yerry Mina in if he’d played a game or two more.

MID – Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

What a luxury when one of the world’s best passers can be, like, your fifth best player. De Bruyne’s goal against Japan to win it in injury time was one of the moments of the Cup. His goal against Brazil was top class too. He wasn’t quite at his Manchester City untouchable level this tournament but he still pulled the strings as Belgium had their best ever finish at a World Cup. God, this guy’s great to watch.

MID – Paul Pogba (France)

Couldn’t fit him in amongst the starters but there’s no denying the dabbing maestro who shrugged off the enigmatic accusations with a run of reliable and focussed performances, especially in the latter stages. Scored a lovely goal in the final, plus that pass he played to Mbappé in the lead-up was the literal pass of the tournament. To thread the ball like that… only Paul Pogba can make that pass. The man is a big game player, alright.

MID – Denis Cheryshev (Russia)

Superstar of the hosts, scoring four goals in five games and basically all of them important ones. Forget that he was mostly raised in Spain, he was the hero that his team needed. Nobody expected much from Russia yet they were a penalty shootout away from the semi-finals. Cherchysev scored a beauty of a goal in the quarters and his threat on the break for a very defensive home side was essential to getting them as far as they got. Shout out to his man Aleksandr Golovin too.

MID – Coutinho (Brazil)

Neymar was supposed to be the leader for Brazil and to be fair he got better as the tournament went on… but Coutinho was the consistent one. A couple stunning goals, a couple clever assists. It’s crazy that he didn’t even make the squad for the last World Cup. Brazil would’ve gone absolutely nowhere in 2018 without him. Guts to the likes of Jesse Lingard, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ante Rebić for missing out.

FW – Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)

Three goals in four games, he did what he needed to do to lead his team into the quarters and it’s only a shame that injury meant he wasn’t able to be there for them as they were eliminated. Gotta suck to have to watch knowing you might’ve made a difference. But Cavani’s individual performance in the win over Portugal a round earlier was up there with any you’ll ever see.

FW – Antoine Griezmann (France)

Slid under the radar a bit at times, particularly in the group stages, but the player of the 2016 Euros was there when his country needed him. Didn’t miss a penalty all tourney and had a goal and an assist in the final. Also scored against Argentina in the R16, against Uruguay in the quarters (with an assist) and set up the only goal in the semi vs Belgium. That’s coming through in the clutch.

FW – Harry Kane (England)

Last but not least is the Golden Boot. Harry Hotspur completes a significant crew of Spurs players in this squad and he did for England what he does at club level: scored goals, regardless. Three penalties, a deflection and two close range headers but that’s how Golden Boots are won. He wasn’t able to have the impact he wanted in the last two games however goals are the only currency that matters. Gotta have him in here.

MANAGER

Didier Deschamps (France)

Who else was it gonna be? Deschamps has been criticised far and wide as French manager, by myself included, but here he finally got it all in order. He said bugger it to trying to get this team to play expansively, manufacturing a solidity that we haven’t seen from France too often. They still had their attacking outlets and they worked hard to find Kylian Mbappe on the run whenever possible and when you combine that discipline with that level of talent you’ve got world champs. It could have easily gone the same way as Joachim Low’s Germany but, credit to Deschamps, it did not.

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