FIFA World Cup 2018: Worst XI
Several exceptional players failed to replicate their form in Russia. The reason might be tactical errors by their managers or they could not gel well with their team-mates. It sometimes becomes difficult to adjust to a new set of players when one is a part of a club structure throughout the years. Let us look at the XI who flopped this year.
Goal-keeper and defenders who flopped
Spain's goal-keeper David de Gea had a dismal World Cup in Russia and was nowhere near his form in the EPL. His compatriot Gerard Pique accompanies him in the list, whose performance was equally forgettable. Germany's Jerome Boateng and Kimmich were below average, as well, as the defending champions lost to Mexico and Japan. They enter the list with Argentine Nicolas Otamendi.
It is not easy to always be at your best
Argentine Javier Mascherano is 34 and his form is on a wane. His performances with Argentina, this term, is a testimony to the same. German and Arsenal mid-fielder Mesut Ozil makes the list as his country was knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage after 2 losses. Md. Elneny and David Silva, too, belong to this group of mid-fielders.
When strikers don't manage to find the goal
Gonzalo Higuain has never been able to reproduce his club form for his country. Yet another World Cup has passed where he was short of goals, wasted important chances and gave away the ball on important occasions. Poland captain Robert Lewandowski makes his way to this list. Considered the best striker in the world, his performance at Russia was just the opposite.
