FIFA’S OFFICIAL LIST of the World Cup’s best players, known as the Castrol Index, has caused no end of mirth in TheScore.ie ever since a phoned-in performance from J-Lo edged out Pitbull’s impeccably white boating trousers at the Maracanã.
The index included England’s Phil Jagielka after two rounds of pool games, had Lionel Messi in 11th ahead of the last 16 and declared David Luiz as the tournament’s best player before the quarter finals.
The latest release of the index — compiled by statistical FIFA boffins — has Karim Benzema as the World Cup’s best player. The French striker climbs from third to first after having six shots on target in his country’s 1-0 World Cup loss to Germany. Colombia’s James Rodriguez is also heading home, following defeat to Brazil, but he merits his position as second.
Bafflingly, French defender Raphael Varane, who was at fault for Mats Hummels’ German goal, is a top 10 newcomer. He is third, one ahead of Brazil’s Thiago Silva and Hummels himself. Holland’s Arjen Robben is fifth.
David Luiz, who previously led the way, drops to sixth despite scoring the mother, father and Uncle Peter of all World Cup free-kicks on Friday night.
The top 10 is rounded out by the injured Neymar, Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij and Jan Vertonghen of Belgium. There is still no place in the top 10 for Messi, Thomas Müller [Germany] or Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was only beaten once in 507 minutes of open play during the tournament.
Castrol Index top 10
- Karim Benzema, France (9.79)
- James Rodriguez, Colombia (9.74)
- Raphael Varane, France (9.66)
- Thiago Silva, Brazil (9.66)
- Mats Hummels, Germany (9.63)
- Arjen Robben, Holland (9.59)
- David Luiz, Brazil (9.56)
- Neymar, Brazil (9.53)
- Stefan de Vrij, Holland (9.51)
- Jan Vertonghen (9.48)
