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World Cup rankings: from 8 to 4

By James Fudge

KALININGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 25: David Silva of Spain is challenged by Mbark Boussoufa of Morocco and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Spain and Morocco at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 25, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
KALININGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 25: David Silva of Spain is challenged by Mbark Boussoufa of Morocco and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Spain and Morocco at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 25, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /
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Although he only played 40 minutes and contributed very little on the pitch, Benjamin Mendy features in the top 8 due to the fact he came, he saw and he conquered. Got the t-shirt with ‘champion du monde’.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 15: Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 15: Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

The defender played for 40 minutes in the Denmark fixture after coming on in that game, he rarely put a foot wrong but did nothing to change a dull game, which ended goalless. He failed to feature in the rest of the tournament with a muscular injury and the lack of rotation from Didier Deschamps.

A winners medal around his neck, largely down to his teammates, adds to his stellar 2018. He returned in the final few games for City to gain a Premier League medal and now is a champion of the world.

Although Lucas Hernandez held him back, Mendy is likely to have contributed a massive part in the camaraderie of the team due to the antics he gets up to on social media and the ‘banter’ he enjoys. He played his part.