'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Benjamin Pavard, France
Came into the World Cup as a second choice defender but finished the tournament with some great performances and the winner's medal. He started France's World Cup opener against Australia and never slowed down after a strong start to the tournament.
He made 34 appearances for VfB Stuttgart in Bundesliga last season and played in various defensive and midfield positions for the German side. His stunning strike against Argentina in the round of 16 game is definitely one of the best goals of the tournament.
His value has astronomically increased after the World Cup. Pavard will be available for €35 million in 2019 as per the release clause in his contract. The 22-year-old has already been linked with top European clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea.
