The 2010 World Cup is over with Spain winning their first title at this level and deservedly being crowned world champions. The 64 matches in South Africa witnessed some terrific team as well as individual performances.
Most of the superstars of the game flopped badly in South Africa, and as MSN India takes a look at the heroes of the 2010 World Cup, there are some names which may not have been well-known before the start of the tournament. But, that is the beauty of the World Cup.... it brings some stars down to earth and sends others soaring into football folklore.
Diego Forlan (Uruguay): The lynchpin of the Uruguayan attack had already tasted club glory in the 2009-10 season with Atletico Madrid in the Europa Cup. Forlan played a huge role in Atletico's road to Europa glory and he replicated his form for Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup with aplomb. His selfless play, penetrative runs and shooting prowess (long range and inside the box), all contributed to his country's dream run in South Africa. Forlan scored five goals in the tournament, including two of the best goals of the 2010 World Cup - a long-range shot against Netherlands in the semi-finals and a swerving free kick against Ghana in the quarter-finals. Forlan deservedly won the Golden Ball award for being the player of the 2010 World Cup.
Thomas Mueller (Germany): Mueller shot into global limelight at the 2010 World Cup with his five goals and aura on the football pitch. He may only be 20-years-old, but Mueller demonstrated exceptional control over the ball and also made some dazzling runs through the opposition defence. Mueller scored five goals in South Africa and won the Golden Boot award for being the top scorer of the 2010 World Cup as well as being named the Best Young Player of the tournament.
Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands): The Dutch midfielder came into the 2010 World Cup after having a terrific season with Serie A club Inter Milan. In South Africa, Sneijder continued with his good form as he mesmerised and terrified the opposition midfield and defence with his dazzling runs and bursts of speed. Sneijder scored five goals in the 2010 World Cup, and was by far the Netherlands' best player of the tournament.
David Villa (Spain): Villa had a good 2010 World Cup and demonstrated time and time again the reasons he is considered to be amongst the best players in the world currently. The Spanish striker was at the heart of the World champion's attacking line as he tore into the opposition defence and scored five goals in the tournament. His passing was also immaculate, and if Villa's finishing had been better, he could easily have added two or three more goals to his tally in the 2010 World Cup.
Iker Casillas (Spain): The Spanish captain is regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world and through the 2010 World Cup, Casillas justified that tag. Casillas' reflexes, speed and agility have been his strengths, but what sets him apart is his confidence and calm demeanour in one-on-one situations. Casillas' two saves in one-on-one situations against the Netherlands in the final also played an important part in Spain being crowned world champions.
Andres Iniesta (Spain): The current world champions are indeed fortunate to have a player like Iniesta in their ranks. Iniesta is a midfielder, but is open to playing in any position and is a workhorse. At the 2010 World Cup, Iniesta showed the reasons for which he is so highly regarded in Spain and around the football world. Fittingly, it was Iniesta who scored the lone goal in the final which helped Spain win their first World title.
Mesut Ozil (Germany): This young German attacking midfielder, who plays his club football in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen, impressed in South Africa with his dazzling runs and skillful passing. Ozil had two assists in the 2010 World Cup and also scored a scorcher of a goal against Ghana which ensured Germany's progress to the Round of 16. Ozil is also a technically gifted playmaker who has the ability to turn a match on its head in an instant. He was among the 10 nominees for the Golden Ball award at the2010 World Cup.
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana): The Ghanaian striker was in fantastic form in South Africa and a menace to opposition defenders in the 2010 World Cup. He converted penalties against Serbia and Australia in the group stage, before scoring Ghana's winner in the Round of 16 against USA in extra time. Though Gyan missed to convert a penalty in the dying seconds of the quarter-finals against Uruguay, he did score from the spot in the ensuing penalty shoot-out that Ghana lost 2-4.
Per Mertesacker (Germany): The 6'6'' German centre back impressed with his alertness at the back and clean play. Mertesacker has been the backbone of the German defence, and at the 2010 World Cup, he proved himself yet again just as he had at Euro 2008.
Carlos Puyol (Spain): Puyol has been one of the best defenders in the world for a while now, but at the 2010 World Cup, he also played a key role in Spain's semi-finals win over Germany at the 2010 World Cup. His powerful header was the only goal of the semis and sent Spain to their first ever World Cup final, which they went on to win. Puyol was also rock solid as ever at the heart of Spain's defence.
Javier Hernandez (Mexico): The Mexican striker's growing reputation saw him being signed up by Barclays Premier League club Manchester United before the 2010 World Cup as United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had spotted the potential in the youngster and didn't want to enter into a bidding war with other clubs after the tournament in South Africa. Sir Ferguson's decision proved to be a masterstroke as Hernandez scored two goals at the 2010 World Cup - one against France in the group stage and the second against Argentina in the Round of 16. Both these goals highlighted the speed, agility and the goal-scoring abilities of this exciting Mexican youngster.
Alexis Sanchez (Chile): Chile impressed with their flair and passion at the 2010 World Cup and at the heart of most of their plays was their 21-year-old forward Alexis Sanchez. He is a huge favourite with the fans of Udinese, the Italian club he played for before the World Cup. Sanchez's strengths are his fantastic dribbling skills and electrifying pace.
Landon Donovan (USA): Donovan has been the leader of USA's midfield and forward line for the last four-five years, and is also considered to be the best player ever to be produced by his country. Donovan scored three goals at the 2010 World Cup, and in the process became the highest scoring American in World Cup history. USA may have been unable to progress beyond the Round of 16, but Donovan certainly added to his reputation at the 2010 World Cup, and a move out of the MLS may just be in the offing.
Eduardo (Portugal): As a whole, Portugal had a disappointing campaign in South Africa, but one of their very few successes of the 2010 World Cup was goalkeeper Eduardo. He kept clean sheets in all of Portugal's group stage matches - against Cote d'Ivoire, North Korea and Brazil. The only goal Eduardo conceded came in Portugal's 0-1 loss to Spain in the Round of 16, but he also denied Spanish striker David Villa's efforts to score more goals in that match.
Paul the Octopus: Never has an octopus attained such worldwide fame! Paul hit bull's eye with all his predictions for the 2010 World Cup, including Germany's loss in the semi-finals and Spain's win in the final. Though Paul received death threats after Germany lost to Spain in the semis, he was also offered protection by the Spanish prime minister in jest. Paul has now retired and will not be making any more predictions. In his career as football oracle, Paul had a 86 percent success rate - 12 of his 14 predictions came true.
