My 2010 World Cup Best Team

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain) - So he didn't have a good first game, so what. He made up for it throughout the knockout stages. Some smart saves against Portugal and great saves against Paraguay and Netherlands in the final. He totally deserves the Yashin Award for the best goalkeeper for the tournament.


Right Back: Phillip Lahm (Germany) - It was a close call between him and Maicon of Brazil but the German had more influence on his team's attacks and defended very well throughout the tournament. Had two goal line blocks - one against Australia and the other against Ghana - which shows his defensive awareness when it matters.


Centre Back: Gerard Pique (Spain) - His partnership with Carles Puyol has certainly helped his development as a defender and he was solid as a rock throughout the World Cup. He often wins headers, has good pace for a big lad, showed some neat skill when bringing the ball forward, and tackles very well. Only 23 years old, he surely has at least 2 more World Cups to participate and state his claim as a world class centre back.


Centre Back: Lucio (Brazil) - The veteran defender showed why he was still rated highly in world football. Very commanding at the back, makes important tackles and makes up for a slight loss of pace through the years with superb positioning. Like Pique, he also showed some nice footwork while dribbling out of defence. Probably his last involvement in a World Cup, though.


Left Back: Fabio Coentrao (Portugal) - There's not much argument on this one as he has been the best left back by some distance. Has very good pace and always providing an option on the left flank when his team is going forward and showed he can cross the ball well. Good awareness to track back and defend as well. One for the future as he is only 22 years old.


Centre Midfield: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) - Absolutely no arguments. He has been magnificent at this World Cup. Played in a deeper role than usual and he certainly delivered the goods. Sees the game well, covers the team's defence, determined to win the ball from opponents, and orchestrates his team's attacks well. His best moment was when he dribbled past three Argentinian players to provide a goal for his teammate.


Centre Midfield: Xavi (Spain) - Again, no doubts. Played in about the same position as Schweinsteiger, he excelled for Spain. Very nimble when on the ball and has superb vision when setting up his teammates. Sometimes, you wonder whether he has another set of eyes at the back of his head. Doesn't panic when a defender gets close and often gets away from them with a simple turn which can cause lots of trouble for the opposing defence.


Right Wing: Thomas Muller (Germany) - Has been a revelation at this World Cup much like how Lukas Podolski was in the previous one. Very hardworking, has a good eye for goal, and showed very clinical finishing against Australia and England (he's after all the Golden Boot winner). He's always providing an outlet on the right flank for his team and had great awareness in terms of positioning when going forward. Deserves his Best Young Player Award as well.


Attacking Midfielder: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) - He probably would have won the Golden Ball had his team won the final. Excellent passing at times - especially the long through ball for Arjen Robben against Slovakia and against Spain in the final - and reads the game decently as well. He played his role perfectly for his team just like how Xavi and Schweinsteiger did for theirs.


Left Wing: David Villa (Spain) - He is a forward but he showed how dangerous he can be when being deployed on the left flank against Honduras, Chile, Portugal, and Paraguay. That's why he is considered one of the most feared strikers in the world and he can even do it from the left wing. Very good finishing as he showcased that against Chile and Paraguay and always looking to take defenders on. Barcelona would definitely love for him to continue on this sort of form.


Striker: Diego Forlan (Uruguay) - Who else but the Golden Ball winner? He has been superb throughout this World Cup. He scored 5 goals and always dictating his team's offence - often involved in Uruguay's attacks. Had quite a number of shots on target (9) in the knockout stages as well and probably would have won the Golden Boot if he has a little more luck. He was unfortunate not to get the equaliser in the third place playoff but he had 3 very well taken goals already by then. Manchester United must be wondering why he wasn't this good when he was there.

Substitutes:
Goalkeepers - Eduardo (Portugal), Richard Kingson (Ghana)
Defenders - Maicon (Brazil), Carles Puyol (Spain), Per Mertesacker (Germany), Carlos Salcido (Mexico)
Midfielders - Andres Iniesta (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Strikers - Miroslav Klose (Germany), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)