2018 FIFA World Cup: Barca players and how they have performed so far

With the 2018 FIFA World Cup heading towards the decisive part, we analyse the performances of Barcelona contingents with their respective national teams.

Barcelona football club became the first club in the history of the tournament to have at least a player in each of the eight groups. However, English champions Manchester City is the club with most number of players in this year's tournament.

With the conclusion of the first knockout phase, only eight teams are left in the competition: Russia, England,Belgium, France,Croatia, Sweden, Brazil and Uruguay. Of the eight remaining teams, only three are short of at least a player from the Spanish champions.

With both Brazil (Coutinho and Paulinho) and France (Umtiti and Dembele)  having two players each playing for the Catalan giants, there is a Barca player in Croatia (Ivan Rakitic), Belgium (Thomas Varmalean) and Uruguay (Luis Suarez).

Interestingly, at least a Barca player will appear in the showpiece on July 15. Belgium and Brazi as well as France and Uruguay, all of which have at least a Barca player face each other for the battle for a place in the last four. 

1. Yerry Mina(Colombia)

Currently, albeit surprisingly, Yerry Mina is the highest scoring Barca contingent in Russia. The Colombian centre back has scored three headed goals in this tournament-the highest in a single World Cup since Miroslave Klose effort in 2002 event.

After a maiden season to forget, the Colombian is a subject of growing reports linking him with a summer switch to some top English clubs, even though that might be only rumours. However, with the imminent arrival of Lenglet, Barca will have about five full-backs, and Mina exploits in Kremlin may play no part in convincing Barca to keep him for another season. A loan move is probably the real bet.

Overall, Mina had a great outing and considering that he is a defender, he has done enough to earn a 7/10 rating.

2.Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)

Perhaps the most decent part of the Brazilian flairs in this tournament, Coutinho has proved himself to be the man spearheading the Selecao  quest for a record extending sixth world title.

With two goals and one assist so far, Brazil would need the former Liverpool playmaker to be at his best as they take on Belgium in the last eight.

To be continued...