Best of the Best

Here is my all-star team of the 2006 world cup. I tried to make it entirely passed on the performances and not past history - sometimes even one outstanding game. Noticeably absent are any Italians and US players…hmmm.

Goal
Hislop (Trinadad and Tobago) That incredible game against Sweden was the best by any keeper of the tourney.
Runner up
Ricardo (Portugal) A European quality keeper on a South American quality squad, he was a major reason they finished 4th and the only player who could dive without looking like a cheat.

Defense
Lahm (Germany) This guy just owned the entire left side of the filed in every game Germany played – as a defender, not a midfielder! He routinely defended guys twice his size and wreaked havoc whenever he went forward.
Thuram (France) Big, strong, smart, skillful. One of the worlds best helped shut down Brazil and Portugal, and almost Italy.
Yorke (Trinadad and Tobago) Technically he played defensive midfield, but, far from his striking days at Man Utd., he essentially played a stopper role – and boy did he do it well for three games.
Colochini (Argentina) countries alike Brazil and Argentina aren’t known for producing great defenders, but I thought Colochini was fantastic as a right back. He was smart, had great timing, and was incredibly difficult to beat one-on-one. Plus there was his ability to go forward and help out on attack.
Runners up
Ferdinand (England) Just solid.
Pantsil (Ghana) Who is this guy? He looked great.

Midfield
J. Cole (England) the goal was fantastic, but the over all play was even better and should give England hope for the future.
Zidane (Trinadad and Tobago) Hopefully we will not remember the head butt the way we remember Baggio’s pk miss, because up to that moment Zizu was inspiring. Magical. ‘nuff said.
Riquelme (Argentina) I still think this was the best team, and it was lead by a passing genius in Riquelme. His vision, timing, effort, and skill were magnificent. His play was beautiful, without needing the flash of the two Ronaldinhos.
Ribery (France) A tireless workhorse with incredible speed, balance, and guts. His one drawback was in the red zone where he lacked some creativity – but as a possession, transition, and ball movement player, he was outstanding.
Runners up
Ronaldinho (Brazil) I mean, come on, the guys ridiculously talented!
Cristiano R. (Portugal) Dude, stop diving and you might make the first squad.
Essian (Ghana) If only he hadn’t missed the Brazil game due to double yellows, Ghana could have won that and then some…

Forward
Messi (Argentina) wow. Not sure that he’s the next Maradona, but he certainly looks like the closest thing in a long time for Argentina!
Henry (France) he always looks like he has no space, no room, triple teamed, posted up, about to fall down…and yet somehow he slips through with the ball and creates a chance! And don’t ever let him face you up on the left wing, because his moves and speed down the line look like something out of a road runner cartoon If France didn’t play 5 mids and leave him alone so much, if someone was always waiting for his last minute passes across the middle of the box, they would score like it was basketball!
Runners up
Schweinsteiger (germany) The Germans lost to Italy cause they wouldn’t transistion with speed, and they wouldn’t actually take shots. So what does this sub do in the third-place game? He goes out and hits the ball at goal every chance he gets – and created 3 goals! When you take opportunities, good things happen. Klose who?
Drogba (Ivory Coast) if they didn’t have to face Argentina AND Holland This guy would have had his nation in the quarters.
Torres (Spain) No one with a David Beckham hair cut gets on the first squad, even with 3 goals!

Coach
Lippi (Italy) Of all the Italian teams over the years, with all their superstars and historic moments, this is the one that wins the cup?! There’s no justice. So I guess you have to give the coach the credit for creating a team that could do all they need to and make it work.
Runner up
Klinsman (Germany) Klinsi as they call him was criticized prior to the event by his nation, but created a team that played with passion, creativity, enthusiasm, and skill – all the qualities he showed as a player himself. By the final whistle on the 8th, the whole nation was cheering ‘Klinsi’ and felt like they had won the whole thing. Man, I hope we can him to coach for us!