Sport
The 2022 World Cup Best XI
Each game and round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was filled with dramatic events and shocking stories changing with each and every kick. From Morocco’s shocking run to the semis to the likes of Germany and Belgium crashing out early, there was always something happening. We even got the fairytale ending with Lionel Messi finally winning the one prize that eluded him his whole career – the World Cup itself. Alongside Messi, there were a wide range of stunning performances from established names and new pretenders. With that in mind, who did well enough to make our World Cup XI?
GK: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
There were several heroic goalkeeping performances throughout the World Cup however it was Morocco’s shot stopper Yassine Bounou who made our list. The Sevilla keeper, known as Bono, encapsulated everything that Morocco did well at the tournament. Charismatic, energetic and always giving 110%, Bounou was on career best form keeping a joint best 3 clean sheets in the 7 games he played. This included two man of the match performances particularly in their win against Spain where he saved two penalties to help Morocco reach their first ever quarter-final. It was a series of heroic performances that galvanized a nation’s hope.
RB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Perhaps Morocco’s best known player at the start of the tournament, Achraf Hakimi was always going to be a key player for The Atlas Lions. It was more than refreshing to see Hakimi give it all for every second he played at the World Cup. The PSG full-back was always found full of running and was always hassling players at both ends of the pitch. It was Hakimi that dispatched the fateful penalty against Spain to send Morocco into the last eight that showed how he was able to carry a nation on his back. A true star for his team and country.
LB: Theo Hernandez (France)
For Theo Hernandez, it was a star-making tournament however the success came with a slight hint of bitter sweetness. Hernandez found himself as the primary starting left-back only after his brother was ruled out from injury. However, that didn’t stop him taking all the chances he could get. Hernandez was a continual nuisance for anyone on the left flank where his speed and guile made him a real handful to get past. His true moment of fame came in the last four though when he rifled home a volley in the fifth minute to put France ahead against Morocco. He maintained his scintillating form all the way until the final even if they would lose on penalties to Argentina.
CB: Harry Souttar (Australia)
If Harry Souttar was scared of being rusty as the World Cup began, he looked anything but. Having played less than a game in the past 12 months before the tournament, Souttar looked just the like player he was before tearing his ACL in November 2021. What made the Stoke defender so heroic was how he gave everything to shut down opponents as Australia reached the last 16. He was impervious in matches against both Tunisia and Denmark where he was the glue that held The Socceroos backline together. Despite narrowly losing 2-1 to Argentina in the last 16, Souttar showcased just how good a performer he is as Australia matched their best ever finish at a World Cup.
CB: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
Josko Gvardiol is one of the true breakout stars of the 2022 World Cup. The Croatian centre-back was a true commanding centre-back and played with more experience and calmness despite only being 20 years old. In what was a difficult side to break down, the RB Leipzig defender made numerous key tackles and won aerial dues with ease. He showed a hint of killer instinct too as his nodded goal against Morocco proved in the third-placed play off. His skillset will only grow in time as he looks set to become one of the big defensive stars of the years to come.
CM: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
In Enzo Fernandez, Argentina have found their new midfield star waiting to emerge onto the global scene. Fernandez’s performances were underlined by not just silky passes but always looking to find a way to move play forward. It also helped he could produce magical moments of his own accord too. He showed this in the group stages by scoring a stunning curling effort in the 2-0 win against Mexico. All this was underlined by Fernandez not only winning the World Cup with Argentina but also being named Best Young Player of the tournament. An excellent few weeks for the Benfica midfielder.
CM: Luka Modric (Croatia)
There are few players as consistent and reliable as Luka Modric and once again, the Croatian skipper delivered on the big stage. Never one to look fazed by the occasion, Modric was always the man linking play and dictating how his team moved forward. By providing all-round cover, Modric was dazzling in class even if he never grabbed all the headlines for himself. As Modric led his nation to consecutive semi-finals in the World Cup, it was only deserving that he was given the Bronze Ball for his actions. A truly classy player through and through.
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
For all the drama surrounding Portugal off the pitch, some of their other stars were delivering on it. Namely Bruno Fernandes who looked reinvigorated after some poor showings in the Premier League. With his national side, Fernandes was back to his devastating best creating and scoring chances in regular fashion. It was his brace against Uruguay in the group stages that sent Portugal into the knockout stages whilst he also grabbed 2 assists when Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 in the last 16. It was proof that Fernandes can be just one of several stars that can guide Portugal forward in the absence of other certain superstars.
FW: Julian Alvarez (Argentina)
If there was ever a time to announce yourself to the world stage, then why not with the World Cup winning side. That’s exactly what Julian Alvarez did as he formed a stunning partnership with Lionel Messi in attack. Whenever Messi was creating chances, it would generally by Alvarez on hand to finish it off. It was his presence in the semi-final that helped Argentina reach the final after not only winning the penalty that got them their first but also producing an excellent solo run to score Argentina’s second. With 4 goals in the tournament, the Man City striker showed he has all the ingredients to devastate any type of side and that Argentina’s future is truly in good hands.
FW: Kylian Mbappe (France)
There’s no striker who is quite as explosive or devastating as Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe was always going to be France’s most potent weapon but few expected him to deliver this on such a regular basis. When Les Bleus needed goals, it was Mbappe who stepped up. It was his brace that saw them overcome Poland in the last 16 as well as 2 against Australia in their 4-1 opening match win. However, it was his efforts in the final that showed his true class. Not only was he just the second player to ever score a hat-trick in a World Cup final but that he did it to pull France level each time that proved just the type of player he is. With 8 goals, Mbappe scooped up the Golden Boot and Silver Ball proving why he is such a rare talent to enjoy watching.
FW: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
One of the main narratives heading into the tournament was could Messi win the big one at the last chance of asking. And he was relentless in his quest to do just that. Whenever it looked like Argentina was lacking energy, it would be Messi who’d provide the spark to get them surging ahead. Whether it was stunning assists, solo strikes or handling incredible pressure from the spot, Messi never faltered. Considering he put Argentina ahead against France twice in the final showed his drive to win the big prize. After slotting his penalty in the final shootout, he was able to celebrate knowing that he had finally achieved that last goal. It was his efforts that led Argentina to glory and the image of him lifting the World Cup is one that will shine for decades to come. A true crowning achievement for one of the greatest stars to ever lace up a pair of boots.
