IT TOOK THE ruthless, almighty thumping of Brazil to finally get the attention of FIFA’s statistical boffins. Following the Germans’ 7-1 annihilation of the World Cup hosts, Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller are well placed in FIFA’s top 10.
Kroos now leads the way in the Castrol Index, which uses statistical data to collate the most valuable individual performances in the tournament. The Bayern Munich midfielder has a pass completion rate of 85% — that is from the 443 passes he has attempted at the World Cup so far. He rocketed to the top of the rankings, however, after scoring his country’s third and fourth goals against Brazil.
Karim Benzema and Arjen Robben are second and third respectively while injured Brazil captain is fourth after missing the Belo Horizonte semi-final carnage. David Luiz, who led the rankings after the second road, has dropped to eighth overall.
Müller, who scored his fifth goal of the tournament and 10th World cup goal overall, is now in sixth. Interestingly, the highest placed Argentina player is defender Ezequil Garay. He is 11th while teammate Lionel Messi is down in 14th. The Barcelona playmaker has failed to make it into the top 10 all tournament.
Castrol Index top 10
1. Toni Kroos, Germany (9.79)
2. Karim Benzema, France (9.74)
3. Arjen Robben, Netherlands (9.7)
4. Thiago Silva, Brazil (9.66)
5. Oscar, Brazil (9.63)
6. Stefan de Vrij, Netherlands (9.59)
7. Thomas Müller, Germany (9.56)
8. David Luiz, Brazil (9.54)
9. James Rodriguez, Colombia (9.51)
10. Neymar, Brazil (9.48)
