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All good things come to an end, and the World Cup is no exception to that rule. 30 days of nerve-wracking fun is over, and it is time we return to the familiar worlds of club football and European competitions.
This World Cup has been one of the best in recent memory, for it contained everything the fans looked forward to - drama, controversy, stunning goals, upsets, and above all - great football. France turned out to be the best on the day it all mattered, but there were several players from other teams who shined through.
That being said, a LOT of players played their hearts out and selecting the best XI from that pool is bound to be controversial no matter how one goes about it. The team I have gone for is just one person's opinion, so feel free to disagree with me. Here's a look at (what I think is) the team of the tournament:
Goalkeeper:
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
This was a very hard choice, as several goalkeepers performed above and beyond what you would expect of them - Subasic, Schmeichel, Akinfeev. But I choose to go with the winner of the Golden Glove award - Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois kept clean sheets against Panama and twice against England - one in the group stage and one in the third-place playoffs, and was one of the primary reasons why Belgium beat Brazil in the quarterfinals.
His last-minute save off a Neymar shot at the end proved to be the difference between the sides, as Belgium dumped favorites Brazil out of the tournament. Courtois played every minute of every game and managed 25 games in the 7 games he played.
In addition to that, he was the only top keeper who actually lived up to their billing, and this performance would have added a couple more millions to the price Chelsea have on him when Real Madrid comes a-calling.
Defenders
Left back: Lucas Hernandez (France)
The French full-back was one of the most important players for his team in the tournament, as they relied heavily on his runs down the left and his crosses into the box. He managed to provide two assists during the tournament - one against Argentina, and one more in the final against Croatia.
France were not the best of teams in terms of defensive prowess, but they knew when to attack and when to stay back in defense - the contrasting games against Belgium and Argentina should serve as examples of this.
Lucas had 16 successful tackles, 5 interceptions, 18 clearances to his name and received 2 yellow cards for tactical fouls during the course of the WC. He appeared in all 7 games for the team and did not play for only 40 minutes (against Denmark).
Centre back: Sergei Ignasheivch (Russia)
To imagine that the 39-year-old defender was not even expected to be part of the Russian team before the start of the tournament! An untimely injury to Ruslan Kambolov ensured that the centre back got a call into the team, and he proved to be a valuable asset to the home nation.
Despite his age, Ignashevich played every minute of every game for Russia - including TWO consecutive 120-minute games against Spain and Croatia before their eventual exit from the tournament.
His biggest contribution will be his role in Russia's upset win over Spain where he fought for everything that rolled next to him. Ignashevich also scored a penalty as calm as they come in both the penalty shoot-outs, earning worldwide praise for his actions.
Centre back: Yerry Mina (Colombia)
The centre-back might not have featured a lot during the regular season with Barcelona, but this performance might just see the club redoing their opinion of the player. Mina scored 3 goals during this campaign - including the tying goal against England that took the game to penalties.
After Falcao and Rodriguez were expected to be the stars for the South American side, it was Mina who rose above everyone else on the pitch - both literally and metaphorically. Standing an impressive 195 cms, he was also vital to the team when it came to defending set-pieces.
After missing out the opener against Japan, Mina was part of the next three matches for Colombia, scoring in every single one of them.
Right back: Kieran Trippier (England)
The biggest concern for England before this WC was their lack of creativity in the midfield, and fans wondered where the magic would come from. As it turned out, the answer to that question was Kieran Trippier.
Playing as the right wing back in front of a 3 man backline, Kieran Trippier proved to be the biggest surprise of the tournament, as he ran up and down the flanks and did everything he could to make stuff happen for the team.
The Tottenham man delivered 1 assist during the WC, in addition to scoring a beauty against Croatia in the semi-finals, before ending up on the losing side. In addition to that, he also created the most chances at the tournament (24), finishing above players like De Bruyne, Neymar, Modric, and Hazard.
Central Midfielders
N'golo Kante (France)
Who knew a relatively unknown player would go from the French second division to winning the Premier League twice, winning the PL player of the season and winning the FIFA World Cup - all in the space of 3 years?
The defending midfielder was France's best player in the group stage when they weren't as good going forward, and after that, he settled into a more relaxed, conventional role. Kante played every minute of every game until the final, where he was subbed off in the 55th minute as a precaution after he had received a yellow previously.
Paul Pogba (France)
A lot was expected of Paul Pogba prior to the tournament, and then there were calls to drop him from the Starting XI after a few below-par performances in the friendlies just before the WC. But now, it is safe to say that Paul Pogba has lived up to his reputation, and then some more.
He did not have an assist or a goal before the final, but then scored France's third goal to become the first ever Manchester United player to score in a WC final - which of itself is a crazy record. Amid rumors that Manchester United fans wanted him out after not being good enough, this should calm them down.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
It was a close fight between Rakitic and Modric for the spot, but I have decided to go with the Golden Ball winner of the World Cup. Luka Modric, after a CL winning season with Real Madrid and a season where he was the team's best player, finally delivered the goods for the national team.
Barring the game against Iceland, Modric was a part of every other game almost for every minute - including three consecutive 120-minute games. His penalty miss against Denmark did not prove to be too costly for the team, but the heartbreak in the final could not be avoided.
Modric was responsible for only 2 goals and 1 assist during the tournament but was head and shoulders above most of the players across the tournament. I doubt anyone would feel that his award was undeserved.
Forwards
Left Winger: Eden Hazard (Belgium)
For me, Eden Hazard was the best player of the tournament and could have been awarded the Golden Ball - although Modric receiving it isn't too much of a controversy. After a season with Chelsea where he blew hot and cold, this was Hazard at his primal best - scoring goals, dribbling, making backheel passes - everything.
The Belgium team as a whole was fantastic, but they were beaten convincingly by a stubborn France in the semi-final, where Hazard was the only Belgian still trying to get the game back to even terms.
Through the course of the tournament, Hazard created the fourth most chances and scored 3 goals, while providing 2 assists for his team.
Centre forward: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Harry Kane might have gotten his Golden Boot, but Kylian Mbappe has been the star forward of this WC. Despite players like Olivier Giroud, Griezmann and Dembele around him, Mbappe has managed to outshine all of them - and he is still a teenager.
Any doubts over whether his move to PSG came too soon was put to rest as the 19-year-old scored 4 times in the tournament - including 2 against Argentina and from outside the box in the final - becoming only the second ever player to do that (the first being Paul Pogba).
Right Winger: Nordin Amrabat (Morocco)
This one might be very controversial and I guess more people would think that Ivan Perisic ought to be here - which is understandable and I have utmost respect for his work rate, but the World Cup is a chance for players from lesser-known teams to have a shot at the limelight, and I personally chose to go with the Moroccan.
Amrabat might have played only 3 games, and neither scored not assisted during any of them, but it was still one of the best individual performers of the World Cup. Not to forget that he was concussed during the opening game and was considered not fully fit to play the second but he still did anyway!
