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FIFA selects Germany's star Deniz Undav as best player of World Cup group stage
According to FIFA's performance ranking, Germany national team striker Deniz Undav became the best player of the 2026 World Cup group stage. Despite only playing 86 minutes on the field, Undav left behind stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Germany national team striker Deniz Undav etched his name to the pinnacle of international football with his performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage. According to FIFA's power ranking based on in-match data, Undav was selected as the best player of the tournament.
The 29-year-old striker, who plays for Stuttgart, scored 3 goals and made 2 assists in group matches despite only playing 86 minutes. This contribution went down as the highest score production per minute played.
Overtakes stars in FIFA ranking
Undav, who collected 8.38 points in FIFA's official power ranking, left behind Argentine Lionel Messi, the tournament's top scorer. Messi placed second with 8.33 points, while French star Kylian Mbappe came third with 8.12 points.
In the top 10 of the list were names such as Brazilian Vinicius Junior, Swiss Yohann Manzambi, French Ousmane Dembele, Norwegian Erling Haaland, Dutch Crysencio Summerville, New Zealander Elijah Just, and Moroccan Ismail Sabiri. Moroccan Sabiri managed to enter the top 10 with 3 goals and 7.07 points.
Praise from German media
German newspaper Bild said about Undav: "Simply put, he is the most effective among the mentioned players." The newspaper highlighted that he achieved such high efficiency despite limited time.
Nagelsmann's choice sparks debate
Despite Undav's impressive statistics, head coach Julian Nagelsmann's decision not to start him in the starting eleven caused surprise in the German press. The fact that Undav remained on the bench even in the match against Ecuador, which was a formality for Germany, was criticized.
Nagelsmann said in a statement on the matter: "There is always a debate about this. We could start him in the eleven and benefit from his quality from the beginning, but our current thinking is that he should continue to have an impact coming off the bench."
The young coach continued: "If Undav starts the match, we will likely have to take out another player. Who else has the ability to put the ball in the net when the match gets tough?"
Expected to be on bench again for Paraguay match
Ahead of Germany's critical round-of-32 match against Paraguay, Bild newspaper predicts that Undav will start on the bench again. Nagelsmann's choice is a matter of curiosity for the match that will start at 23:30 Mecca and Doha time.
The German press emphasized that despite being the best player of the tournament according to FIFA ranking, Undav will continue to be Nagelsmann's biggest trump card.
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