A beautiful tournament hosted across three countries has finally come to an end, with Spain claiming their second World title in 16 years. Luis De La Fuente’s team were imperious in their run to the final, and they barely gave Argentina a sniff in the final in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the goal that brought the second star home for Spain.

Spain feature heavily in the team of the tournament because they dominated and won every single game in the knockout phase. The Spaniards conceded only one goal en route to the title, but who else features in our team of the tournament? Find out below:

GK – Unai Simon

Unai Simon was imperious in goal for Spain as part of a backline that conceded only one goal in the tournament. He was a brilliant shot-stopper, passer, and sweeper whenever needed.

RB – Pedro Porro

It can only take determination and brilliance to go from a poor season at Tottenham to performing at such a high and consistent level at the World Cup for Spain.

Porro was a rock at the back and a brilliant attacking outlet for the Spanish team. His goal against France showed exactly why he was the first choice right-back for Spain in the tournament.

CB – Pau Cubarsi

From being the new schoolboy in the Barcelona team in 2023 to cementing his legacy in Spanish football history at just 19, Pau Cubarsi is remarkable.

He looked mature in the face of pressure throughout the tournament and formed a solid partnership alongside Laporte in defence. He is a brilliant defender with an even brighter future ahead of him.

CB – Aymeric Laporte

Tested, trusted, and reliable. These words describe how mature and composed Laporte looked at the World Cup. Many thought his spell in the Saudi League might have affected his sharpness, but Laporte proved otherwise. He stayed quick, strong in tackles, brilliant in his passes, and generally the smartest defender at the tournament.

LB – Marc Cucurella

Cucurella has maintained a high level of performance since Euro 2024 that many have now come to expect. He is a busy, strong, agile, and mobile defender who can invert brilliantly into midfield and pose a threat in attack. Chelsea fans are already used to his high levels, and Real Madrid fans are next.

DM – Rodri

Pep Guardiola: “Rodri will get back to his best at the World Cup with Spain.” Boy, was he correct.

Not many gave Rodri a chance to reach his pre-ACL heights again, especially at this World Cup after a stop-start season with Manchester City.

However, once it became clear that Rodri was back to his best, no midfield Spain faced at the World Cup could cope. From dominating Portugal and France to wiping out the influence of Argentina’s midfield in the final, he fully deserved his Golden Ball award.

CM – Jude Bellingham

Bellingham’s “stocks” have returned to their 2024 value following a brilliant World Cup, where he carried the England squad alongside Harry Kane.

The Real Madrid midfielder scored seven goals to help England achieve their best World Cup finish since 1966.

AMF – Michael Olise

Olise carried his brilliant club form into the World Cup and became France’s best creator in America.

He registered seven assists (The highest at a single World Cup tournament ever) and delivered splendid performances in tight matches, helping France reach the semifinals, where eventual winners Spain knocked them out.

Although he did not score a goal, Olise had a memorable first World Cup campaign for France.

RW – Lionel Messi

What else can be said about a 39-year-old who many had counted out, but who almost singlehandedly lead his team to another World title?

Messi showed unbelievable hunger to win the World Cup for Argentina again by scoring or assisting in every single game in the tournament bar the final, dragging an otherwise inconsistent Argentine side to the final.

He truly is one of a kind.

LW – Kylian Mbappe

At just 27, Mbappe has already become the greatest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.

He won the Golden Boot again with 10 goals, and despite missing the opportunity to win the World Cup again, Mbappe has secured his place in World Cup history forever.

FW – Erling Haaland

What a campaign for Norway and Erling Haaland.

He scored seven goals in Norway’s first World Cup campaign in 28 years while single-handedly knocking Brazil out of the tournament with arguably the best individual performance of the competition.

Take a bow, Erling Haaland. His legacy as one of the best strikers ever is already secure, and he is just 26.