GOALKEEPER Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany) – There is no longer any doubt in the discussion about the worlds best goalkeeper. Neuers performances may still reward him with a Ballon dOr come early January and although that honour would make a mockery of the award, whatever place he finishes should take nothing away from how brilliant the German goalkeeper was in 2014. The performance against Algeria, in particular, at the World Cup will be one that will be in books for years to come with the Bayern stopper giving a clinic in the sweeper-keeper role. -- DEFENDERS Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich & Germany) – The game has produced much fewer unsung heroes than Lahm. Now on the path to going down in history as one of the all-time greats and he finally got the spotlight he so deserved when he lifted the biggest cup of all in Brazil. Used by Pep Guardiola and Joachim Low in midfield regularly in 2014, but both have needed him at right back, where he eventually became a World Champion, and was part of a double act on that side that absolutely torched Marcelo in the destruction of Brazil in the semi-final. Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay) – Make no mistake, Godin was a true pleasure to watch as a defender in 2014 and now has a legitimate claim to being the best central defender in the game, yet his year will be remembered for three big headers in the opposite box. One of the biggest stories of the year was his side capturing the La Liga title and his goal against Barcelona on the final day of the season secured that title. A week later he looked to have won Atletico the Champions League, again heading the team into a deserved lead, only to watch Real Madrid power past them late in the tie. At the World Cup, in the game people will remember for the Luis Suarez bite, another headed goal from Godin sent Uruguay into the last 16 and knocked out the favoured Italians. Javier Mascherano (Barcelona & Argentina) – Lionel Messi scored most of the goals but, arguably, the most consistent performer for the second best team at the World Cup was their former captain. Mascherano was magnificent at the heart of central midfield, a position he is just as comfortable in as centre back, where he is used predominantly for Barcelona. His performance against Bastian Schweinsteiger in the final was wonderful to see as two genuine world-class complete midfielders went head-to-head and controlled much of the game. David Alaba (Bayern Munich & Austria) – Another player who continues to get better and better under Guardiola. Not content in mastering his true position, as left back, Alaba has often been deployed in central midfield and is ideal for a true fluid system employed by Pep. Glides with the ball when in possession and is never intimidated to push boundaries with his responsibilities. Still only 22, could be one of the games best players this time next year. -- MIDFIELDERS Koke & Gabi (Atletico Madrid & Spain) – One of the most remarkable title victories in many years should not be forgotten because it took place in a World Cup year. There were many heroes as Atletico toppled the two giants of Spanish football but the midfield duo of Koke and Gabi were at the top. Surprisingly, particularly in the case of Koke, Diego Simeones side ended 2014 with both of them still in their possession and the pair have maintained their excellent form this season. Koke is the next in line in a long list of intelligent ball treasurers created in Spain and could play a major part for the national team over the next decade. Gabi, at 31, is nine years older than his teammate and had the year of his life, guiding his hometown team, as captain, to incredible heights. His performances against Barcelona standout and his remarkable ability to press high and disturb Sergio Busquets while maintaining his defensive responsibilities was a joy to watch. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany) - Kroos will be forever grateful for Gonzalo Higuains miss in the World Cup after a horrendous error but was magnificent so often before and after that moment for clubs and country. He forced Germany to change into a true 4-3-3 team with his consistently high performances, pushing a more No. 10 player like Mesut Ozil out wide, and allowing the World Cup champions to keep the ball better and press intelligently as a trio. He was one of the best players on the pitch in one of the truly great performances in the history of the game when Germany crushed Brazil 7-1. Once home from Brazil, he moved to Spain to continue winning trophies with Real Madrid. -- FORWARDS Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich & Netherlands) – It was a fitting end to 2014 for Robben when he scored the games only goal for Bayern against Mainz before the Bundesliga break. It was a goal that also put him in the middle of a remarkable stat. In the six-and-a-half seasons he has had with the German giants he has now scored 65 goals, while the team has conceded just 64 when he has been on the field. Robben has been sensational for club and country in 2014 and was the catalyst for the Netherlands in a superb run to third place at the World Cup, highlighted by a 5-1 win over Spain where he scored two outstanding goals. At 30, playing under Guardiola, Robben is now at a consistent level that he has never reached before in his career. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal) & Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – We should all consider ourselves extremely fortunate that the game we love saw the best two players, by some margin, end the year still in a different class to their peers. With more and more games being forced on them, there will be a year coming soon where at least one of these players will struggle a lot with injuries but at the moment we should be thankful thats not happened for a long stretch of time. Both were magnificent in the games truly greatest competition, the Champions League, where the sport is played at the highest level. At the World Cup Messi came very close to reaching the peak and his miss in the 47th minute may haunt him, but other than that moment it is hard to look at him as to why Argentina eventually didnt triumph. Ronaldo had even worse talent around him than Messi in Brazil and was never fully fit. At club level they have been fantastic and end the year still as the games best players by some distance. -- SUBS Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea & Belgium) – If Neuer is the best number one in the world, the Chelsea man is the second. Courtois was absolutely brilliant in Spain leading a backline to the league title and Champions League final and continued that excellent form at the World Cup for a very organized Belgium team. He looks settled already in the Premier League where he could likely play for the next decade for Chelsea. His decision making is exemplary and he is the best in the world at coming out and commanding crosses into his box. Luka Modric (Real Madrid & Croatia) – Has been one of my favourites for many years and he is starting to get the deserved recognition that has come his way – by some. He was left off the 23 man shortlist by FIFA for the Ballon dOr when he was unquestionably one of the best midfielders in the game this past year. A deep-lying playmaker with a sensational range of passing, the former Spurs man is almost the complete midfielder and really showcased this the moment he got his chance to start regularly for Carlo Ancelotti after Sami Khedira got injured over a year ago. James Rodriguez (Real Madrid & Colombia) – The newest modern day Galactico who had a true World Cup to remember. It was a breathtaking opening two weeks to Brazil 2014 and the Colombian was the grandest of all entertainers with majestic passes and sensational goals, scored with both feet and his head. A great, new ambassador for the game with the enthusiasm he shows on the ball. Cheap Baltimore Ravens Jerseys .Best moustache: How can we not give this to Lanny McDonald? Check out the duster for yourself. Authentic DeShon Elliott Jersey . The Cavs announced the move Saturday, one day after LeBron James said hes returning to Cleveland. 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Milan was in pole position after three minutes thanks to a penalty converted by Jeremy Menez, but Mattia De Sciglios two yellow cards in the span of 15 minutes saw the visitors reduced to 10 men. They ultimately were made to pay for the sending off as Kamil Glik equalized niine minutes from time, leaving Milan to toil in seventh place with 26 points.dddddddddddd Torino, meanwhile, climbs to 13th place with 19 points. Also in Saturdays Serie A slate, Sassuolo and Udinese stayed within one point of one another after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw. Simeone Zaza opened the scoring for Sassuolo in the 15th minute, but Udinese managed to get back on level terms just 11 minutes later through Cyril Thereau. ' ' '