While the Confederations Cup is being hailed as Neymar’s coming out party, according to the Castrol Index, not only was Neymar not the best player in the competition, he was not in the top five Brazilians!
The Castrol Index ranks players based on their actual performance in games. Castrol measures every pass, tackle and move on the field to see if it has a positive or negative impact on a team’s ability to score or concede a goal.
Confederations Cup Top Players
- FRED 9.57 Forward
- SERGIO RAMOS 9.47 Defender
- JORDI ALBA 9.38 Defender
- DAVID LUIZ 9.30 Defender
- THIAGO SILVA 9.23 Defender
- INIESTA 9.16 Midfielder
- MARCELO 9.10 Defender
- GERARD PIQUE 9.04 Defender
- LUIZ GUSTAVO 8.98 Midfielder
- NEYMAR 8.92 Forward
Not surprising, Fred’s performance in the final helped him top the table. In addition to scoring two goals, his backheel created a chance for Oscar, and he had a one-one-one opportunity saved by Casillas.
As you would expect, the team of the tournament was heavily Brazilian, with 7 of the 11 players coming from the eventual winners.
Castrol Index Confederations Cup Top Xi
Goalkeeper: JULIO CESAR 8.25
Defenders: THIAGO SILVA 9.23, DAVID LUIZ 9.30, Jordi ALBA 9.38, SERGIO RAMOS
Midfielders: Daniele DE ROSSI 8.77, PAULINHO 8.82, LUIZ GUSTAVO 8.98, INIESTA 9.16
Forwards: NEYMAR 8.92 and FRED 9.57
At least two of the Brazilian players (Julio Cesar and Paulinho) have ben linked with moves to North London, with Cesar a target of Arsenal and Paulinho with Spurs. I wonder if the fact that Castrol identified them as two of the best performers in the Confederations Cup, will impact the size of their transfer fee or weekly wages?