World Cup 2018: Golden Boy XI

RB: Benjamin Pavard (France)

Pavard is arguably the biggest breakout star of the tournament

Plenty of questions were raised against Didier Deschamps when he decided to opt for Benjamin Pavard at right-back ahead of Djibril Sidibe in the Les Bleus' opening game of the tournament against Australia.

However, what unfolded was quite easily the biggest breakout story of the tournament as the 22-year-old cemented his position by becoming an indispensable part of the eventual champions.

The defender left Lille in France, in search of better playing time, for a bargain £4m that the then second tier Stuttgart offered to bring him to Germany and Pavard has never looked back since then.

After securing qualification to the Bundesliga in his first year, he also became an integral part of the Stuttgart side that finished seventh last season which in turn grabbed the attention of Deschamps.

Pavard is reportedly being courted by the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid and it certainly seems like he is destined for a big money move sooner rather than later.

CB: Yerry Mina (Colombia)

The Barcelona defender was left out of Colombia's unexpected defeat to Japan in the opening game of Group H and he showed Jose Pekerman what a grave mistake he had committed by scoring the opening goal against Poland in a must-win game that followed.

Yerry Mina's goal-scoring antics did not stop there as he managed a couple more against Senegal and England respectively to finish the tournament with three in total, more than any other Colombian. If reports are to believed, Everton are plotting a bid to land the defender after he was deemed surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.

CB: Jose Maria Gimenez (Uruguay)

Gimenez impressed for Uruguay

The fact that he plays alongside Diego Godin for both club and country has certainly helped Jose Maria Gimenez mature into one of the best young defenders in the world. The duo possesses an outstanding relationship at the heart of their side's defence and Uruguay's reputation as one of the most sturdy sides in the tournament was built upon the foundation laid down by these Atletico Madrid stalwarts.

Gimenez scored a 90th-minute winner to help Uruguay kick-start their campaign on the right note and his passion to play for the shirt is second to none with his tears before their quarter-final loss to France still fresh in our memories. Despite only turning 24 next year, Gimenez has already amassed 50 caps for his country since making his debut in 2013.

LB: Lucas Hernandez (France)

The Atletico Madrid defender has been almost flawless in his performances for France and has played an integral role in their journey to the ultimate crown. Lucas Hernandez, who is equally adept at playing at centre-half or left full-back, was deployed in an orthodox left-back position by Didier Deschamps and he did not disappoint.

Hernandez worked tirelessly on the flanks and complemented his teammates well on the field to help Les Bleus tighten things up at the back. At club level, he is considered as the ideal long-term replacement for Diego Godin at the Spanish Capital and could thrive in La Liga for years to come.