10 Players Who Shined During the Group Stage

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Group Stage ends today with Group G and H and it is time to salute ten players who have shown above other players on their own team and the other 31 teams.

It does not matter how their team did in the group stage because this list is all about the individuals.

Siphiwe Tshabalala

Tshabalala was by far the best player for the Bafana Bafana in Group A.

The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder had a stellar goal in the opener against Mexico and was impressive versus the lowly French team.

Fabio Coentrao

You can make a case for many Portugese players to be on this list but Coentrao was the one that stuck out to me.

The young Benfica fullback was a consistent performer going forward on the wing in the Portugal attack in all three games.

Vincent Enyeama

Nigeria did get knocked out in the group stage but Enyeama was one of the most impressive keepers in my opinion.

Enyeama faced 21 shots and conceded five goals in his three games in Group B.

Benny Feilhaber

In the last two USA games, Feilhaber came on as a second half substitute and allowed the Americans to play the game more freely.

The Aarhus midfielder enables Clint Dempsey to move up front and get more shot opportunities, and it has worked for coach Bob Bradley.

Robert Vittek

Vittek has scored three goals so far for Slovakia and until Kamil Kopunek scored the third goal in the Italy game, the forward had all of his team's goals.

Mesut Ozil

Ozil is clearly the next big German football star. Ozil has impressed in all three Group D games for Joachim Low's team.

Ozil has one goal off of four shots on goal and will play a major role against England on Sunday.

Lionel Messi

Messi is proving why he is the best player in the world.

Although he has not scored in the World Cup yet, he has set up some goals and as long as he does that it will not matter if he scores.

Keisuke Honda

If this man is not playing in one of the big three European leagues next season, it is a crime.

Honda has been more than impressive for the Blue Samurai, leading Japan to the Round of 16 where Paraguay should do everything to defend Honda.

Alexis Sanchez

Sanchez has been the go-to guy for the Chilean offense to heat up.

The 21-year old Udinese player showed the world what he could do against Honduras in game one and continued his stellar performance against Switzerland.

Jozy Altidore

Altidore had a okay performance in the England game but then he started to enforce his physical play.

Jozy was able to use his body to get good position on defenders from both Slovenia and Algeria. And he continues to improve with every game.

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