Giant-killers Morocco and two other teams DOMINATE L'Equipe's team of the World Cup... but who is the ONLY England player selected in the French newspaper's top-rated XI?
- French sports daily L'Equipe have named their best team of the World Cup
- Lionel Messi features in attack after finally claiming the trophy at the age of 35
- France star Kylian Mbappe is included following his stunning final hat-trick
- Three Moroccan players were picked by L'Equipe after their run to the semi-final
- A trio of Croatia stars - Modric, Livakovic and Gvardiol - also made the side
- One English player was included as the French paper assessed the tournament
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and three Morocco stars feature in L'Equipe's team of the World Cup - and there was a surprise English inclusion, too.
The French sports daily have selected Bukayo Saka alongside Messi and Mbappe in the forward line following the Arsenal man's impressive performances during England's run to the quarter-finals.
Saka was especially influential against France in the last-eight clash, winning a penalty when Aurelien Tchouameni brought him down following a trademark dribble.
![Lionel Messi was an unsurprising inclusion in French newspaper L'Equipe's World Cup best XI](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/19/08/65725751-11553507-image-a-10_1671439802480.jpg)
Lionel Messi was an unsurprising inclusion in French newspaper L'Equipe's World Cup best XI
![France forward Kylian Mbappe missed out on the World Cup, despite a hat-trick in the final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/19/08/65725805-11553507-image-a-11_1671439932422.jpg)
France forward Kylian Mbappe missed out on the World Cup, despite a hat-trick in the final
The inclusions of Messi and Mbappe come as little surprise following their outstanding displays in Sunday's classic final between Argentina and France.
Mbappe scored a hat-trick, the first player to do so in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst for England in 1966, yet still ended up on the losing side as Argentina won on penalties.
- Argentina goalkeeper Martinez makes rude gesture with the Golden Glove award
- Why Messi wore a traditional Arabic robe to lift the World Cup
- Inside Argentina’s WILD dressing room celebrations
- Moment Messi’s mother grabs her son after he wins the World Cup
- Moment Mbappe shrugs off Macron’s desperate attempt to console him
Messi scored twice and also converted a penalty in the shoot-out to fulfil his destiny of winning the World Cup at the age of 35.
He is one of three Argentine players in L'Equipe's best XI, with Enzo Fernandez picked in the midfield three and Marcos Acuna named at left back.
![Three Morocco players were named in L'Equipe's side - including defenders Hakimi and Saiss](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/19/08/65725747-11553507-image-a-12_1671439956245.jpg)
Three Morocco players were named in L'Equipe's side - including defenders Hakimi and Saiss
![England's Bukayo Saka impressed L'Equipe enough to win a place in their tournament team](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/19/08/65725857-11553507-image-a-15_1671440052483.jpg)
England's Bukayo Saka impressed L'Equipe enough to win a place in their tournament team
![Luka Modric guided Croatia to a third-placed finish at the World Cup and made the selection](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/19/08/65725887-11553507-image-a-16_1671440098077.jpg)
Luka Modric guided Croatia to a third-placed finish at the World Cup and made the selection
Morocco thrilled us with their run to the semi-finals that included shock wins over Spain and Portugal and a trio of their players make the team - Achraf Hakimi at right back, Romain Saiss at centre-half and Sofyan Amrabat in midfield.
Croatia also made the last four, losing to Argentina before defeating Morocco on Saturday to take third place, and they have three players in the side
Luka Modric completes the midfield three, while Josko Gvardiol partners Saiss in central defence and Dominik Livakovic is the chosen goalkeeper, despite the FIFA award going to Emi Martinez.
![L'Equipe published their World Cup team as the competition came to an end with a classic final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/19/08/65725759-11553507-L_Equipe_published_their_World_Cup_team_as_the_competition_came_-a-14_1671440021438.jpg)
L'Equipe published their World Cup team as the competition came to an end with a classic final
It came as L'Equipe issued a scathing set of player ratings for the final.
French players Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele - both substituted off before half-time with the team trailing 2-0 - were deemed unworthy of a score.
And Mbappe received only 9/10 despite his hat-trick.
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over