Best XI of the World Cup Who Play Outside Europe
European club football is attracting more of the world's top players than ever before, so the World Cup has becoming dominated by footballers who ply their trade in the Old Continent.
Top South American teams like Argentina and Brazil, for example, are made up almost entirely of players from European clubs.
There is still enough talent scattered around the globe, however, to compose a strong World Cup XI made up of footballers who play in non-European leagues.
Here's our pick of the lot, in a 4-3-3 formation.
GK: Guillermo Ochoa
1 of 11
National Team: Mexico
Club Team: Free agent.
Though he currently is without an employer, Guillermo Ochoa will surely pick up a club contract very soon after an outstanding World Cup between the sticks for Mexico.
Part of a group of CONCACAF keepers who did their confederation proud, he was one of the best performers for El Tri, pulling off a number of stunning saves in the four matches they played.
RB: Paul Aguilar
2 of 11
National Team: Mexico
Club Team: America (Liga MX)
Speedy right-back Paul Aguilar is one player who typified Mexico's vibrant, positive brand of football throughout the tournament.
Rather than being fearful of some of the big names they faced up against, the Mexicans were confident enough to take on all of their opponents.
Aguilar's threatening runs down the right played a big part in their successful progression through the group stage.
CB: Matthew Spiranovic
3 of 11
National Team: Australia
Club Team: Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League)
It may seem strange to include the centre-back of a team that conceded nine goals in three games, and finished bottom of their group, but Matthew Spiranovic can leave Brazil with his head held high and reputation enhanced after a number of fine displays.
The tall defender is a strong presence at the back, and he showed himself to be an excellent distributor of the football as well. He should go on to big things.
CB: Rafael Marquez
4 of 11
National Team: Mexico
Club Team: Leon (Liga MX)
Considered by some to be a weak link in Mexico's defence before the tournament began, veteran centre-back Rafael Marquez proved that class is eternal with a series of dominant displays at the back in Brazil.
The 35-year-old may be getting slower and slower with each passing year, but his ability to read the game is only improving.
LB: Walter Ayovi
5 of 11
National Team: Ecuador
Club Team: Pachuca (Liga MX)
Ecuador showed more fight in the group stage than many expected of them, and Walter Ayovi was one of their better players in each game.
He showed he is both a strong defender and a useful addition to the attack, with his overlapping runs forward adding an extra dimension to Ecuador's game.
MF: Abdelmoumene Djabou
6 of 11
National Team: Algeria
Club Team: Club Africain (Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1)
Algeria played some delightful team football at the World Cup as they battled their way out of the group stage before giving eventual champions Germany a major fright in the first knockout stage.
Playing in an attacking midfield role, either centrally or on the left, Abdelmoumene Djabou provided plenty of creativity and flair to go along with his useful link-up play.
MF: Egidio Arevalo Rios
7 of 11
National Team: Uruguay
Club Team: Tigres UANL (Liga MX)
Tenacious midfield battler Egidio Arevalo Rios was key in Uruguay's progression to the knockout stages at the expense of England and Italy.
The diminutive but energetic hard man represents all the classic qualities of Uruguayan football: guile, passion and a never-say-die attitude.
MF: Charles Aranguiz
8 of 11
National Team: Chile
Club Team: Internacional (Brazil)
One of a host of skilful midfielders at Chilean coach Jorge Sampaoli's disposal, Charles Aranguiz earned himself a start in all four of Chile's games. The Internacional man stood out as one of the side's top players in the tournament.
Energetic in defence and composed on the ball, he was especially influential in the match against Spain, holding his own against the much-lauded midfield of the European side and chipping in with a goal.
FW: Clint Dempsey
9 of 11
National Team: United States
Club Team: Seattle Sounders (MLS)
The U.S. national team's captain and talisman, Clint Dempsey, led from the front in his third World Cup.
"Deuce" managed two goals, one of which was the fifth-fastest in tournament history. He also broke his nose and soldiered on in an inspirational overall display.
FW: Tim Cahill
10 of 11
National Team: Australia
Club Team: New York Red Bulls (MLS)
The remarkable Tim Cahill is not only his country's all-time top scorer, he now has five World Cup goals to his name, putting him ahead of some of the game's greats.
He seems to thrive on the big occasion, and Brazil 2014 proved no different.
His wonderful volley against the Netherlands was arguably the goal of the tournament.
FW: Enner Valencia
11 of 11
National Team: Ecuador
Club Team: Pachuca (Liga MX)
Stealing the thunder from Antonio Valencia, his namesake, Enner Valencia was Ecuador's star man at Brazil 2014.
He notched three goals in the tournament, including a double that won his team the match against Honduras.
It will be no surprise to see him picked up by a European club soon.
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