Tottenham star Pedro Porro silences doubters with top-four World Cup ranking

Tottenham Hotspur's Pedro Porro is enjoying an impressive World Cup campaign after a poor season with the Lilywhites.

The right-back is currently on fire for Spain at this year's World Cup, with his nation progressing through the tournament.

Porro most recently scored in his nation's 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 32, as his side will now face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the next stage.

The 26-year-old received criticism from Spurs fans last season, like many players, for his consistently poor performances.

He did have a good display every now and then, but it's hard to argue against the fact that he was a victim of everything happenings around him

Now, Tottenham doubters have been reminded just how good Porro is, as he sits in an elite bracket after recent World Cup performances.

Pedro Porro only bettered by Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe

Porro started 32 games in the Premier League for Tottenham last season, and was dropped on the odd occasions.

There were then rumours that he could of left N17, had the club been relegated to the Championship, with his future still uncertain to an extent.

Porro is showing that last season was just a blip for him, as he now sits in an elite bracket for the World Cup after making just two appearances for Spain.

The Spaniard ranks as the fourth-highest-rated player on FotMob at the World Cup (8.62), with Kylian Mbappe in first (9.11), Lionel Messi in second (8.68), and Erling Haaland third (8.67).

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele ranks in fifth behind the Spurs man with 8.36

Porro picked up an 8.3 rating against Saudi Arabia, followed by an 8.9 rating in the win over Austria, where he thumped home a header, which was his first ever goal for his country.

He particularly impressed against Austria, creating the most chances in the match with five, boasting an 89 per cent passing accuracy and a 100 per cent dribble success.

He also won four of his five ground duels, along with 100 per cent of his battles in the air.

Surely he's now cemented his place in the starting eleven for Spain's next game against Portugal.

Porro could have a major test against Portugal; here's why

Perhaps Luis de le Fuente has been saving Porro for the knockout games, as starting Marcos Llorente ahead of him in the other group matches just didn't make sense.

The Tottenham man will have to be on his A-game against Ronaldo's Portugal, though, as he faces Rafael Leao down his right-hand side of defence.

Leao has a goal and an assist to his name already this World Cup, and was given the Player of the Match award after Portugal's win over Croatia.

The AC Milan winger had seven dribble attempts against Croatia, and provided the stoppage-time assist for Goncalo Ramos' goal.

Porro will need to be switched on, as Leao is a nightmare for any right-back.