Lionel Messi: There have been some great performances and not least from Arsenal’s new £30 million striker Alexis Sánchez, Holland’s Arjen Robben, Germany’s Thomas Müller and, of course, Brazil’s Neymar. Ultimately, however, it has to be Messi. The captain of Argentina has not been at his irrepressible best but there is an aura about him that has not only affected opponents but, at times, has almost intimidated his team-mates. He has a presence, a tranquillity and the confidence to know that he will make a difference.