Abheek Dasgupta| The News Minute| June 8, 2014| 11.20 pm IST
As the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup came to a thrilling end, we now know that Germany would play Brazil, and Argentina would play the Netherlands for a spot in the World Cup Final, to be played at the Maracanã in Rio De Janeiro on the 13th of July.
With 60 matches having already been played, we have seen some teams perform well above their expectations and some teams having to take the flight back home much earlier than they would have thought. Here is a list of 20 footballers you might not have heard before the 12th of June, but you definitely would know and talk about them after their brilliant performances in the World Cup.
20. Ezequiel Garay
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Age : 27 Country : Argentina
Position : Centre back Club : FC Zenit (RUS)
There were many question marks on the Argentina defence before the World Cup began, but the former Real Madrid and Benfica man stepped on the plate and led his country's defence. A stellar performance in the quarterfinals against tournament dark horses Belgium in the quarterfinals saw to it that La Albiceleste kept a clean sheet and reached the semifinals. It is still a mystery as to how the St. Petersburg-based FC Zenit signed him from the Portuguese champions Benfica, for a paltry €6 million.
19. Claudio Bravo
Age : 31 Country : Chile
Position : Goalkeeper Club : FC Barcelona (ESP)
Having worn the captain's armband for his national team since 2007, he has been one of the better goalkeepers this World Cup, with stellar performances in the group stage fixture against Spain which knocked the defending champions out, and in the round of 16 fixture against the hosts. It is no surprise then, that Spanish giants FC Barcelona signed him for €12 million from the San Sebastián-based Real Sociedad.
18. Marcos Rojo
Age : 24 Country : Argentina
Position : Left back/Centre back Club : Sporting CP (POR)
While his performances as a centre back for the Lisbon-based club have been unconvincing, he has been an important part of Argentina's defence, playing as a left back. Having scored the match winning goal against Nigeria in the final group stage game, reports are coming in that Chelsea are planning to bid £15million for his services to replace the veteran left back Ashley Cole.
17. Stefan de Vrij
Age : 22 Country : The Netherlands
Position : Centre back Club : Feyenoord (NED)
Like the Argentineans, there were question marks regarding the Dutch defence as well. However, with performances from de Vrij, there are no questions regarding the Netherlands' backline anymore. The manager Louis van Gaal is certainly pleased with his performances, with reports coming in that the new Manchester United boss is trying to get him from the Rotterdam-based club for £12 million.
16. Serge Aurier
Age : 21 Country : Ivory Coast
Position : Right back Club : Toulouse FC (FRA)
With the bigger names in the Ivorian team not performing up to the expectations they had set for themselves, the youngster was one of the best performers for his country in Brazil. He provided two assists in the come-from-behind 2-1 win against Japan. After a good club season with the side from 'The City of Violets', many football pundits consider him to be one of the best young right backs in the game, and with many English and French clubs trying their best to get his signature, TFC certainly has their work cut out.
15. Joel Campbell
Age : 22 Country : Costa Rica
Position : Forward Club : Arsenal F.C. (ENG)
With the Central American country undoubtedly being the surprise package of the tournament, it is no surprise that their main forward makes it into our list. His best performance in the tournament, however, came in the 3-1 shock win against Uruguay where he scored the equaliser and set up his nation's third goal. Having been loaned out to FC Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos in successive seasons, it would be no surprise if he starts for The Gunners next season.
14. Giovani dos Santos
Age : 25 Country : Mexico
Position : Attacking midfielder Club : Villarreal CF (ESP)
A youth product of FC Barcelona, he was being touted as the next big thing in the world of football. Although he did not fulfil his immense potential, he has always been an important player for his country's national team. Apart from giving El Tri the lead against the Dutch with a brilliant goal from outside the box, he had two legitimate goals chalked off by an errant linesman in the opening match against Cameroon.
13. Islam Slimani
Age : 26 Country : Algeria
Position : Striker Club : Sporting CP (POR)
He is a striker who has been noted for his pace and his composure. He scored the opening goal against South Korea, and the equaliser against Russia, which helped carry The Fennec Foxes to the knockout phase. It required a man-of-the-match performance from Germany's No. 1 Manuel Neuer to prevent him from getting any clear goal scoring opportunities. It is being reported that Crystal Palace, Everton, Newcastle and West Ham are trying their best to make him play for them in the upcoming season.
12. Ricardo Rodriguez
Age : 21 Country : Switzerland
Position : Left back Club : VfL Wolfsburg (GER)
The 21-year old Zürich-born left back is considered to be among the best in his position in the Bundesliga. Known for his excellent technique both in defence and in attack, he provided two assists in a come-from-behind victory against Ecuador, which turned out to be very crucial for the Alpine state to qualify for the knockout stages. You might be seeing him play for one of the major European clubs in the upcoming club season.
11. Gary Medel
Age : 26 Country : Chile
Position : Centre back/Defensive midfielder Club : Cardiff City F.C. (ENG)
With his efficient positional play, he has been very efficient in defence, man marking opposition strikers. Although his performance as a defensive midfielder for the Welsh club wasn't the best, thanks to the fast Premier League pace, it was his performance as a centre back for Chile that has caught the eye of many, with superlative performances against Spain and Brazil. With Cardiff City finishing bottom of the Premier League, it is highly likely that El Pitbull would be leaving The Bluebirds.
10. Daley Blind
Age : 24 Country : The Netherlands
Position : Defensive midfielder/Left back Club : AFC Ajax (NED)
The 2014 Dutch Footballer of the Year has been in great form this World Cup. His two inch-perfect crosses led to the first two Dutch goals in the 5-1 mauling against the defending champions, Spain. Although the Netherlands manager prefers to play him as a left-sided wingback, he has played as a defensive midfielder when Nigel de Jong had to leave the pitch injured in the round of 16 clash against Mexico. The son of former Dutch international footballer Danny Blind, he is being noticed by major European clubs, and he might leave Dutch shores for the upcoming season.
9. Rais M'Bolhi
Age : 28 Country : Algeria
Position : Goalkeeper Club : CSKA Sofia (BUL)
Who would have expected the back-up goalkeeper of a Bulgarian side to stop everything that came his way in 91 minutes of regulation time against the mighty Germans. But Rais M'Bolhi did just that, making some unbelievable saves in a man-of-the-match performance in a losing cause against the tournament favourites. With good performances in the group stages as well, it looks almost certain that he would be leaving for better clubs in better leagues this transfer window.
8. Bryan Ruiz
Age : 28 Country : Costa Rica
Position : Attacking midfielder Club : Fulham F.C. (ENG)
The captain of Costa Rica, he has guided Los Ticos with two goals in the tournament - including the one against Italy that knocked out the English. He has been the heart of almost every attacking move of Costa Rica. With his club getting relegated from the Premier League, a transfer looks highly likely.
7. Enner Valencia
Age : 24 Country : Ecuador
Position : Forward Club : C.F. Pachuca (MEX)
The 24-year old initially started his career as a winger, but after the unfortunate death of Ecuadorian striker Christian "Chucho" Benítez, the national team manager Reinaldo Rueda converted him to play as a striker. This positional change has worked wonders for him and the team, with him scoring all the goals for Ecuador in the World Cup. A move to Europe from the Liga MX seems highly likely, with West Ham United willing to shell out £12million for him.
6. Charles Aránguiz
Age : 25 Country : Chile
Position : Central/Defensive Midfielder/Right winger Club : Internacional (BRA)
The versatile midfielder has been in very good form all through the tournament. His best match was the one against Spain, where he turned provider to Eduardo Vargas for the first goal before tucking one into the back of the net himself, to send the defending champions packing. His perfect penalty, with a lot of power and right into the top corner in the penalty shootout against Brazil, went viral on the Internet. If any European club successfully signs him, their fans would have every reason to be pleased.
5. Memphis Depay
Age : 20 Country : The Netherlands
Position : Winger Club : PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Playing on the left wing for The Netherlands, he became an important player in Louis van Gaal's plans due to his incredible speed from the moment he was brought on from the bench against Australia after Bruno Martins Indi left the pitch injured. He scored the winning goal in that match, and a goal against Chile to leave the Oranje with a perfect record in the group stages. With The Netherlands qualifying to the semifinals, we can certainly see more from the youngster, who is being targeted by both the Manchester clubs as well as Tottenham Hotspur.
4. Juan Guillermo Cuadrado
Age : 26 Country : Colombia
Position : Winger Club : ACF Fiorentina (ITA)
Leading the assists chart in the World Cup this year is the Colombian winger Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, with four assists to his name. He is however, best known for his pace and dribbling ability, which has made him one of the most lethal players this World Cup. With Manchester United placing a whopping £32million for him according to Italian reports, and their rivals trying to hijack the deal, the Florence-based side should consider themselves very lucky if he remains a Viola player.
3. Keylor Navas
Age : 27 Country : Costa Rica
Position : Goalkeeper Club : Levante UD (ESP)
With a tough group with three former world champions, most analysts had written off Costa Rica, and they were expected to lose by big margins in all the three games. But with some solid defending and superb goalkeeping from Keylor Navas, Los Ticos have definitely been the surprise story of the World Cup, with the Levante custodian stretching yesterday's game against The Netherlands all the way to penalties in a man-of-the-match performance. It is reported that Spanish champions Atlético Madrid are interested in him, and we certainly agree that he is going to be a perfect replacement for the Belgian Thibaut Courtois.
2. Guillermo Ochoa
Age : 28 Country : Mexico
Position : Goalkeeper Free Agent
This World Cup has seen some stellar performances from goalkeepers, but none as good as the Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. His performance against Brazil, where he singlehandedly kept the game scoreless, is among the greatest goalkeeping performances in World Cup history, which included one following a diving header from Neymar, that immediately drew comparisons to Gordon Banks' save in the 1970 World Cup against Pelé. He is currently a free agent, which means he has no club, and if reports are to be believed, innumerable clubs from various leagues want to make the Mexican their no. 1.
1. James Rodríguez
Age : 22 Country : Colombia
Position : Attacking midfielder/Winger Club : AS Monaco (FRA)
If you have not heard of him, or if you are unable to pronounce his first name, chances are that you have been living under a rock. With six goals and two assists in the tournament, including THAT goal against Uruguay, he has been the best player in the tournament, well ahead of the usual suspects. The youngster has scored a goal in every game Colombia has played in the World Cup, and his pace and dribbling would certainly put him among the world's best players at the moment. With the UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid willing to pay £65million or more for the new superstar, the club based in the Principality have a mission impossible in their hands, as they would try their best to keep him.
Notable mentions include Tim Howard from the United States, who did not make it to the list because he was pretty well known, Eduardo Vargas from Chile, Ahmed Musa from Nigeria and André Ayew from Ghana.