Before the FIFA World Cup 2014 Round of 16 begins, we mustn’t forget how great the Group Stage was! The World Cup has been terrific so far! With 48 games gone already, we have had some superb performers. Those players’ heroics have sent their team to the Second Round and it seems like there’s no stopping them right now.
Neymar (Brazil)
Being watched by over 200 million Brazilians, the poster boy for the hosts Brazil - Neymar has made it look like he has nothing to worry about at this World Cup finals. The star has thrived to inspire Brazil in to the knockout stages with four goals, by having scored twice in Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia and twice more in their 4-1 destruction of Cameroon. The Brazilian has the best conversion rate of any player to have attempted at least eight shots (44.44%).
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
In a game that saw the defending champions of the World Cup dethroned saw not only the best goal of the tournament so far (Robin van Persie’s header goal) but also the fastest run yet! The 30-year defied age to win a straight running race with Sergio Ramos from the half-way line before scoring past Iker Casillas to help Netherlands beat Spain 5-1.The Dutchman scored twice in that incredible win and followed it with one in their 3-2 win over Australia. The Dutchman has three goals in the 2014 tournament so far.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
There’s rarely a list on the best players without Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. While Ronaldo failed to guide his nation to the next round, Messi single-handedly took Argentina to the Round of 16 with a series of brilliant match-winning displays. He scored a decisive goal in his opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, another winner the brave Iranians and then twice more in a 3-2 win over Nigeria. Four superb and vital goals. The little magician has scored three goals from outside the box, two more than any other player
James Rodriguez (Colombia)
The standout player of the tournament so far, James Rodriguez has been at the heart of everything good Colombia have done during their 100% group stage record, scoring three times in the process. The Monaco star has scored one and made two against Greece, headed one and made one against the Ivory Coast and scored one and made two against Japan despite resting on the bench until the second half. Rodriguez has scored or assisted a goal every 45 minutes on average, the best rate of any player to play more than 100 minutes at this tournament.
Thomas Mueller (Germany)
The 24-year-old German loves playing on the biggest stage of all. Deceiving everyone with his wiry frame, the German already has four goals and is joint leading scorer with Lionel Messi and Neymar. At the last World Cup in 2010 Muller announced himself by winning the Golden boot with five goals in South Africa. The Bayern star claimed a hat-trick against Portugal before also scoring the winner against USA to guide Germany through as group winners. Mueller has scored nine goals in his first nine World Cup games, matching Pele’s achievement (one goal more than Diego Maradona’s goal tally).
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