The World Cup always offers players a chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage. Sometimes that even means a lucrative move to a bigger clubs afterward (see Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez moving from Monaco to Real Madrid four years ago).
But which players’ values have gone up? And which have gone down after their exploits in Russia?
Here is a list of those whose stock has changed since the start of the World Cup.
STOCK UP
KYLIAN MBAPPE (France, PSG)
Arguably the star of the tournament with France. His £160 million move to Paris Saint-Germain became official after they resolved their FFP issues, but with Real Madrid needing to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, the French club might have a fight on their hands.
HARRY MAGUIRE (England, Leicester)
Gareth Southgate insisted pre-tournament that Maguire could be a revelation in Russia, and the Leicester centre-back stood out with his defensive qualities and aerial threat.
HIRVING LOZANO (Mexico, PSV)
Mexico’s World Cup ended in the round of 16 as usual, but PSV Eindhoven winger Lozano lived up to his pre-tournament hype, starting with a bang by scoring the winner in the 1-0 victory against Germany.
EDEN HAZARD (Belgium, Chelsea)
The Chelsea forward has always struggled to make his mark in the Champions League, but he shined on the biggest stage in Russia, most notably in Belgium’s quarterfinal win against Brazil. Finished second in the Golden Ball voting.
YERRY MINA (Colombia, Barcelona)
The Colombia centre-back will be remembered at this World Cup for his late header against England, but the Barcelona man also stood out with some excellent defensive displays and scored in three games.
DENIS CHERYSHEV (Russia, Villarreal)
Russia began their World Cup with Cheryshev on the bench, but an injury to Alan Dzagoev in the opening game gave the Villarreal winger his chance, and he took it with both hands, scoring four goals for the hosts in the competition.
DIEGO LAXALT (Uruguay, Genoa)
The Genoa player was one of the unsung heroes of Uruguay’s run to the quarterfinals, playing in an attacking left wing-back role. Tough, energetic and a real team player for Oscar Tabarez’s men.
IVAN PERISIC (Croatia, Inter Milan)
Jose Mourinho was desperate to sign the Inter Milan winger for Manchester United last summer, and the Croatian showed why in Russia, with his power, strength, pace and goals from the flank helping his country reach the final.
KIERAN TRIPPIER (England, Tottenham)
The Tottenham defender’s free kick in England’s semifinal defeat against Croatia propelled him into the spotlight, but even prior to that stunning strike, he had emerged as the best right-sided defender in the World Cup. He set a new record for chances created by an England player at the World Cup, with his 24 eclipsing the 18 of Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966.
JORDAN PICKFORD (England, Everton)
The Everton goalkeeper has secured the England No. 1 spot in Russia and, despite his inexperience, has emerged from the tournament with a vastly enhanced reputation.
STOCK DOWN
LIONEL MESSI (Argentina, Barcelona)
Messi scored a stunning goal for Argentina against Nigeria, but that was it from the Barcelona forward. He wasn’t helped by playing in an average Argentina team, but Messi left us wanting much more.
DAVID DE GEA (Spain, Manchester United)
He went into the tournament billed as the world’s best goalkeeper, but the Spain and Manchester United No. 1 had a World Cup to forget — so much so that even the Real Madrid rumours have disappeared
