World Cup 2018: Team of the tournament

Phillipe Coutinho (CAM)

Many would have had Coutinho locked on the Golden Ball had Brazil made it further in the tournament

Many would have had Coutinho locked on the Golden Ball had Brazil made it further in the tournament but even his efforts were not enough for Brazil.

From the first game, when he scored a vintage Coutinho stunner to the last when he provided a sublime assist to bring Brazil back in the game, he's been Brazil's star man.

Many expected someone else to be the star man for Brazil but he's changed career paths and is looking to Hollywood now.

Coutinho provided goals and assists when Brazil needed them most and was one of the sparks for Brazil through whom all attacks went through. Him and Godin are the only players who didn't make it to the semi-finals yet feature in the tournament but such was their impact that they have every right to be in the team.

Special Mention: Spain were knocked out early but Isco was the only spark in their lethargic play style and created almost everything on his own for Spain. He deserved to stay on longer in Russia but alas, it was not to be.

Other than him Kevin De Bruyne was also great for Belgium. He didn't play at the same level as he plays for his club, Manchester City but he showed glimpses of what he can do. His ability to lead the counter-attack is phenomenal and he still remains the best central attacking midfielder in the world.

His assist for Lukaku in the opening game against Panama was world class and despite a tricky start to the tournament for him, he excelled.

Antoine Griezzman played the CAM role for France and almost always ran the show. His set-piece deliveries were great and he showed great composure to score penalties in key moments.

Kylian Mbappe (RW)

A star in the making

Mbappe will be one of the great football players if he can keep his feet on the ground. He belongs to an elite, elusive club featuring only himself and Pele when it comes to teenagers scoring in a World Cup final.

He's got good finishing to accompany his lightning quick pace and is every left back's nightmare. Deployed on the right wing he was found by Pogba and Griezzman frequently and made match-winning impacts.

He's got one World Cup goal less than Messi and he's only 19. He is the next big thing and could possibly be the one to break the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly.

His performance against Argentina was one of the great performances in World Cup history and it was only fitting that he found the net in the final as well.

Special Mention: Ante Rebic for Croatia was a real hustler for Croatia and his grit was a real factor for the Croatians. He contributed with a goal as well and never really stopped running.

Eden Hazard (LW)

He finished second in the Golden Ball voting and deservedly so

He finished second in the Golden Ball voting and deservedly so. He was one of the best players in the tournament and stepped it up in the knockout rounds playing big roles in the games against Japan and Brazil.

His performance against France was also brilliant and was one of the best individual performances of this World Cup.

There is no surprise Real Madrid are after him and the interest would have only increased after the World Cup.

Chelsea needs to hold on to him or else they could be in trouble. There were many outstanding performances from the left wing but Hazard was so good, he was miles ahead of the competition.

Special mention: As mentioned earlier, there were some outstanding performances from the left wing in this tournament.

Ivan Perisic came into his own and scored goals in the semi finals and in the final while playing a major role in the victory over the English.

Another great performer was the local boy and former Real Madrid reject, Denis Cheryshev. he scored four goals and my word, they were such wondrous goals.

He probably only scores stunners and even though he started the tournament on the bench, he rose to become a Russian hero.