Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A FIFA player ranking recalculation on Saturday, June 26 showed that German defender Philipp Lahm was one of the tournament's most improved players during the final World Cup group games, with the 26-year old German captain rising to third place overall.
As a right-back who can play on the left as well on either wing, Lahm's positional understanding is coupled with an excellent passing accuracy, and at 5ft7in (173cm), he proves that size isn't everything - even for a defender.
Chilean central defenders Medel and Ponce were the only two to maintain their positions - first and second respectively - while Argentina's hat-trick hero Gonzalo Higuain was among seven players to drop out, making way for new faces that cement the importance of defensive positions among World Cup teams.
Among those was the French-born Algerian goalkeeper Raïs M'bohli, who saved 14 of the 15 shots fired at him over three matches, and Portugese stopper Eduardo, who saved all of the 10 balls sent his way.
Though reigning champions Italy limped out with no wins, FIFA's Castrol Index found no fault with left-back Giorgio Chiellini, and England's Steven Gerrard was one of few midfielders present.
01) Gary Medel: Defender, Chile - 9.79 point average
02) Waldo Ponce: Defender, Chile - 9.74
03) Philipp Lahm: Defender, Germany - 9.69
04) Martin Demichelis: Defender, Argentina - 9.65
05) Gonzalo Jara: Defender, Chile - 9.62
06) Joan Capdevila: Defender, Spain - 9.58
07) Max Pereira: Defender, Uruguay - 9.55
08) Antolin Alcaraz: Defender, Paraguay - 9.52
09) Rais M'bolhi: Goalkeeper, Algeria - 9.50
10) Giorgio Chiellini: Defender, Italy - 9.44
11) Gerard Pique: Defender, Spain - 9.47
12) Cristian Riveros: Midfielder, Paraguay - 9.42
13) Eduardo: Goalkeeper, Portugal - 9.40
14) Paulo da Silva: Defender, Paraguay - 9.37
15) Mauricio Isla: Defender, Chile - 9.35
16) Diego Lugano: Defender, Uruguay - 9.33
17) Steven Gerrard: Midfielder, England - 9.31
18) Gregory Van Der Wiel: Defender, Netherlands - 9.29
19) Sergio Ramos: Defender, Spain - 9.27
20) Alvaro Pereira: Midfielder, Uruguay - 9.25
Source: FIFA.com/castrolindex
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments