TOP 10 PLAYER PERFORMANCES AT WORLD CUP 2010

in World Cup by Itai — July 26, 2010 at 10:32 am | 10 comments

#1 – Diego Forlan (Uruguay) – Uruguay 31 year-old striker Diego Forlan was named the tournament’s best player.  Not only were Forlan’s five goals enough to land him the Adidas Golden Boot award, they also helped his team reach the semifinals for the first time in 40 years.  Despite falling to the Germans 3-2 in the third place match, Forlan continued to shine by netting his fifth goal. He nearly found the back of the net one last time with the game’s last kick that hit off the crossbar.

#2 – David Villa (Spain) – We debated on who we thought had the top performance at this year’s World Cup.  Villa was fierce and nothing short of frightening on the pitch.  His performance game-in and game-out helped him notch both the Adidas Silver Boot award and the Adidas Bronze Ball award.  As a spectator, it was only natural to be on the edge of your seat every time he touched the ball.  There was just no telling what opportunity he was capable of creating for himself or his squad.  Villa ended the tournament with five goals and one assist.

#3 – Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) – Despite falling short in the 2010 World Cup final match, Sneijder’s performance still rightfully landed him both the Adidas Silver Ball award and the Adidas Bronze Boot award.  Holland waltzed their way to the final match , even taking out the likes of Brazil, thanks to Sneijder’s tournament-leading five goals and one assist.  Sneijder showcased his playmaking abilities one game after another, and did nothing but frustrate opposing defenses.  Oh yeah… and the 26 year-old attacking midfielder’s header goal also marked him as the shortest player in this year’s tournament to net a goal.  Well done, Wesley.  Well done.

#4 – Thomas Mueller (Germany) – Mueller was the rightful winner of this World Cup tournament’s Adidas Golden Boot award.  Prior to the start of the tournament, Germany was not amongst the favorites to raise the trophy.  The team was young and the loss of the experienced Michael Ballack  only left a hole in the midfield that had to be filled.  Mueller helped solve Germany’s problems as he netted goals game after game. Finding the back of the net one last time for the game’s opening goal against Uruguay in the third place match, sealed the 20 year-old Thomas Muller’s Golden Boot award.  The young German striker finished the tournament with a whopping five goals and three assists.

#5 – Iker Casillas (Spain) – Iker Casillas has been nothing shy of sensational this tournament.  Casillas has allowed just two goals and made crucial saves that boosted his country towards their World Cup crown.  The 29 year-old keeper has only confirmed why he has the reputation of being one of the game’s best goalkeepers.  Not only was Casillas able to raise the 2010 World Cup trophy above his head, he was also awarded the Adidas Golden Glove award.  Casillas played a huge role with his country being able to take home their first-ever World Cup trophy.  After suffering a 1-0 loss to Switzerland in Spain’s opening match of World Cup play, Casillas was ridiculed and media blamed him for being distracted with his reporter girlfriend on the sideline.  Needless to say, Casillas was able to bounce back.

#6 – Keisuke Honda (Japan) – Whether it was a set piece or a play on the move, the 24 year-old attacking midfielder was mind-blowing.  His stellar World Cup performance helped put him on the global map, and it looks as though Serie A’s AC Milan will be locking down Honda any day now.  Perhaps his most memorable goal was his game-winning goal in Japan’s opening match against Cameroon that helped set the pace for their remaining tournament games.  Although his country’s stint in South Africa was shorter than he would have liked, the media labeled Honda as the ‘Japanese Maradona’ due to his performance.  Aside from that label potentially linking him to Maradona’s handball and drug addiction, this is a pretty big honor.  He is young and will surely be back for another round or two of World Cup action.

#7 – Maicon (Brazil) – Coming into the tournament, Brazil was the team everyone was talking about.  There was some chatter about Holland, Spain, and Portugal… but it was predominantly Brazil, Brazil, Brazil. Unfortunately for Brazilian fans, Holland knocked them out of tournament play earlier than expected.  However, through the five games Brazil played in, Maicon was astonishing.  His lone goal of the tournament during Brazil’s match against North Korea was scored at what  looked to be an impossible angle.  Maicon helped create scoring opportunities and was a brick wall on the back line.  Bottom line… when you are so good at your position that you put Dani Alves on the bench, you’re officially ‘baller status.’

#8 – Sergio Ramos (Spain) – Yes, we understand that Ramos did not score a goal during the 2010 World Cup tournament.  However, both spectators and opposing defenses saw how dangerous he was out of the backfield.  Ramos plays as an extremely offensive-minded right back who seems to be making one overlapping run after another, servicing balls into the penalty area for his teammates to clean up.  When discussions of who the world’s best right back may be come into conversation, Ramos’ name should undoubtedly be mentioned alongside of Maicon and Dani Alves.  We here at SJ would list him at #3 in the world, but have heard a convincing argument or two that lists him higher.

#9 – Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) – Gyan scored the game-winner in Ghana’s round of 16 match against USA in extra time.  Throughout tournament play, the 24 year-old striker found the back of the net on three occasions and also tallied one assist.  No one really expected this African nation to go as far as they did.  With the absence of holding midfielder Michael Essien, most didn’t see Ghana achieving the success they had in this year’s tournament.  After losing to Uruguay in the quarterfinals, Gyan broke down and cried on the field.  Prior to that match, Ghana was the last surviving African nation and had a whole continent in their corner.  No need to worry though.  This young and tenacious forward will be back for another round or two of World Cup action in his day.

#10 – Landon Donovan (USA) – Donovan netted three goals in four games during the 2010 World Cup tournament.  There is no doubt that Donovan lived up to his hype of being the best American soccer player of all-time.  When his team needed a leader, it was Donovan who stepped up in those crucial moments.  None was more memorable than his much-needed goal against Algeria as the final seconds of the match ticked off the clock.  This game-winning goal salvaged tournament life and advanced the U.S. into the round of 16 for a match against Ghana.  Donovan’s playmaking abilities and leadership on the pitch are truly matched by few.

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