As Argentina have been crowned world champions, many fans have wondered which players should make the grade for the World Cup Team of the Tournament?
We answer that question in a team compiled with some of the finest performers in Qatar…
World Cup Team of the Tournament
Yassine Bounou
Heading into the World Cup, Yassine Bonou was a relatively unknown commodity.
However, it’s safe to say that he has gone onto become a household name, purely on the strength of his displays in Qatar.
For a Morocco side famed for their defensive solidity, the 31-year-old’s clutch shotstopping is what was key in the side reaching as far as the semi-finals.
Add the fact that Bounou saved all of Spain’s penalties during his nation’s shootout win in the last-16 and it’s clear to see why he deserves to be in the 2022 World Cup Team of the Tournament.
Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi was the heart and soul of the Moroccan side, playing a key role in helping the side go up the pitch by bombing forward with the ball with aplomb.
Usually slated for his defensive ability, the PSG right-back was as solid as a rock, even up against best friend, Kylian Mbappe in the semi-final.
Being the complete right-back while sealing Morocco’s incredible win against Spain with a cheeky panenka spot-kick, Hakimi merits a place in the side.
Nicolas Otamendi
Now, Nicolas Otamendi’s inclusion may be an unpopular opinion.
But while Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez have been changed and chopped around, the Benfica defender has been a constant in the side.
While he’s been at it, Otamendi has proven all the sceptics wrong by showcasing why his box defending is unquestionable even to this day.
A stellar tournament for the ex-Manchester City man who stepped up when his nation needed him the most.
Josko Gvardiol
Yes, Josko Gvardiol was ripped to shreds by Lionel Messi against Argentina.
But that is anything but a black mark on any defender’s calibre, considering he may well be the greatest player of all time.
At 20 years old, Gvardiol showed no signs of being fazed and was an ll-conquering defensive presence from minute one.
And on the ball, the RB Leipzig centre-back was nothing short of exceptional, especially due to his ball-carrying ability being a class apart.
A superb tournament for one hell of a defender.
Theo Hernandez
Barring Bukayo Saka giving him a torrid time against England and a silly foul, Theo Hernandez enjoyed a virtualy flawless tournament.
Going forward, the AC Milan left-back’s partnership with Kylian Mbappe was a joy to watch.
Hernandez’s unstoppable ball-carrying and pinpoint delivery was unreal throughout the competition and to cap things off, he scored a well-taken strike in the semi-final to further cement his place in our World Cup Team of the Tournament.
Aurelien Tchouameni
Heading into the tournament, there were several question marks surrounding France due to the absence of the injured N’Golo Kante.
However, Aurelien Tchouameni stepped into his boots without breaking a sweat and ran the show from defensive midfield.
If the Real Madrid anchor’s brilliant knack of breaking up play and technical ability did not convince many, his scorcher against England certainly would that he is built for the big stage.
Antoine Griezmann
There is a strong argument to suggest Antoine Griezmann has been the standout player in Qatar.
Operating in an unfamiliar role as a No.8, the Frenchman just displayed all his technical excellent from a deeper position.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the Atletico Madrid attacker was a defensive demon, constantly breaking up play and covering every blade of a grass.
A tournament to remember for the Les Bleus legend.
Lionel Messi
As all eyes were on Lionel Messi in his final World Cup, he delivered.
Registering 7 goals and 3 assists is an insight into how brilliant the Argentine was throughout the tournament.
But it takes tuning into the Barcelona icon’s displays, as he ran the show for a Lionel Scaloni side that is not filled with superstars to understand how he carried his nation.
If you doubted Messi after his anonymous display in Argentina’s shock loss to Saudi Arabia, you did so at your own peril as he reminded the world why he may just be the greatest player to ever grace the game.
Luka Modric certainly thinks so (via Mundo Deportivo).
Kylian Mbappe
After his penalty miss against Switzerland that confirmed France’s elimination from the Euros, Kylian Mbappe had a point to prove at this World Cup.
And he most certainly did from minute one, with many coming to the conclusion that the Frenchman is perhaps the best player in the world, topped off with a hat-trick in the final.
From skinning players left, right and centre, to burning past them with his searing pace and always backing his game up with end product, Mbappe was as devastating as one can be on a football pitch.
Simply put, the boy from Bondy is already an all-time great at 23 years of age and there was no way he was not making the cut in our World Cup Team of the Tournament.
Julian Alvarez
Despite playing limited minutes, Julian Alvarez had a massive say during the World Cup.
Coming in for the out-of-sorts Lautaro Martinez, La Arana delivered and in emphatic fashion, with crucial strikes against Mexico, Australia and of course, Croatia.
With an impressive 4 goals in Qatar, the Manchester City striker showcased why many liken him to the great Sergio Aguero.
Olivier Giroud
Much like in the case of the injured N’Golo Kante, many were worried about how France would fare with Karim Benzema sidelined.
Olivier Giroud calmed the French down by coming up clutch time and again, bagging 4 goals at the World Cup, even if the final was forgettable for him.
While he was at it, the 36-year-old broke Thierry Henry’s record for being the nation’s all-time top scorer.
All one can do is salute a prolific goalscorer who has beat the odds and aged like fine wine.
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