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The North American odyssey is over. Here are the stars who gave it their all.Pedro Porro (ESP, defender) One of the attacking full backs of the tournament, Porro has a balanced defensive discipline with constant overlapping runs. His pinpoint deliveries and relentless energy gave Spain width, while his recovery pace helped neutralize dangerous wings in knockout games.Cristian Romero (ARG, defender) Romero was Argentina’s defensive warrior, combining aggression with intelligent positioning. The centre-back thrived in high-pressure knockout games, making key interceptions and blocks as he provided the steel behind Lionel Scaloni’s side as they played in another World Cup final.Unai Simon (ESP, goalkeeper) Spain’s last line of defense was composure personified throughout the tournament. Simón made key saves in the knockout rounds while commanding a backline that conceded just once. His composition, positioning and distribution were key in Spain’s march to the title.Pau Cubarsi (ESP, defender) Still a teenager, Cubarsi played with remarkable maturity on the biggest stage. Calm under pressure and dominant in one-on-one situations, the Barcelona defender commanded the Spanish defense with authority, helping champions La Roja boast the stingiest backline of the tournament.Marc Cucurella (ESP, defender) He enjoyed an outstanding World Cup, shutting down elite attackers while contributing to possession. Tireless up and down the left flank, he combined defensive resilience with attacking support, earning widespread praise as one of Spain’s most consistent players.Michael Olise (FRA, attacking midfielder) Olise emerged as France’s main creator, stunning with his dribbling, vision and accurate finishing. His creativity repeatedly unlocked stubborn defences, making him one of the tournament’s standout playmakers despite Les Bleus missing out on another World Cup final.Rodri (ESP, midfielder) The heart of the Spanish midfield, Rodri dictated the pace with a superb squad. His interceptions, passing range and tactical intelligence allowed Spain to dominate possession. He showed again why he remains among the best midfielders in football. He won the Ballon d’Or. Jude Bellingham (ENG, attacking midfielder) England’s driving force in midfield, Bellingham mixed elegance with relentless intensity. He scored vital goals, created chances and controlled games with maturity beyond his years, excelling despite England failing to reach the World Cup final.Lionel Messi (ARG, forward) At 39, Messi continues to redefine greatness. The Argentina captain led from the front with decisive goals, assists and moments of brilliance, inspiring his team to a second successful World Cup final. His vision, composition and leadership have once again made him the gold standard of the game.Erling Haaland (NOR, striker) With a sensational tournament, Haaland announced the arrival of Norway among the world football elite. His physical dominance, clinical finishing and relentless movement led Norway to the quarter-finals. He stood out as the leading scorer of the match and the best in the number 9 position.Kylian Mbappe (FRA, forward) France’s biggest attacking threat once again, Mbappe combined explosive pace with relentless finishing to reach the semi-finals. Whether scoring or creating, he tormented defenders in every round and won the Golden Boot despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.Coach Luis de la Fuente SPAIN He engineered Spain’s triumphant campaign with fluid possession play, relentless high pressing and collective discipline. Nurturing many players through Spain’s youth ranks, he built a cohesive unit that outplayed any opponent, proving once again that team strength trumps individual brilliance.SUBSTITUTIONS Goalkeeper Defenders Forwards VOZINHA (CPV) ENZO FERNANDEZ (ARG) WILLIAM SALIBA (FRA) DANI OLMO (ESP) ACHRAF HAKIMI (MAR) MIKEL MERINO (ESP) HARRY KANE (ENG)
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