CASTROL INDEX FIFA WORLD CUP™ LEGENDS

In a FIFA World Cup (TM) with the lowest goals per game average, the most penalties taken (including shoot outs) and the highest fouls per game rate, it was Andreas Brehme’s spot-kick in a predictably tense final which won the tournament for an efficient West German side and highlighted the defender’s importance to his team. An attacking left back, Brehme created a competition-high 23 goal-scoring chances, attempted the most crosses and scored three goals while he also showed off his defensive strengths with a superb 94% tackle success rate.

Only one forward makes it into the Castrol Index Top 10, Czechoslovakia’s Tomas Skuhravy. He scored one goal less than Golden Shoe-winner Toto’ Schillaci, who scored six goals, but recorded a superior shooting accuracy rate, to take 10th place in the Castrol Index. Surprisingly, Schillaci is in 19th place, due in part to his 47% shooting accuracy rate, below the average posted by strikers in the competition.

Paul Gascoigne, whose skills and tears were intrinsic parts of the Italia ’90 experience, comes in in 23rd place, despite attempting the most dribbles and creating 12 chances, including the decisive assists in England’s 1-0 wins over Egypt and Belgium. Central to his comparatively low position in the Castrol Index was his failure to get on the scoresheet himself along with his 12 fouls and two bookings accrued over the course of the tournament. Everyone will remember Roger Milla’s performances in 1990 but it’s his team mate Omam-Biyik who is the highest ranked Cameroon player in 11th position