The burden of pressure and high expectations may have affected those players who were meant to be the stars of the World Cup, according to former African superstar George Weah.

Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka have all already departed from the World Cup stage with only one goal - a slightly fortuitous one by Ronaldo against North Korea - between them.

Weah, the former AC Milan and Chelsea striker, said: "Just because you are the meant to be among the best players in the world does not determine what you are going to do at a World Cup.

"I think when they come to the tournaments they can be fatigued and have a lot of pressure on their shoulders.

"The other fact is that they are team players and it depends on how their team plays.

"It is now just about goals either, and the fact that Kaka didn't score or Messi didn't score doesn't mean they didn't play well - they both created goals for their team-mates."

Weah was speaking at a FIFA/France Football event announcing the Ballon d'Or will become the new combined award for the world player of the year.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter echoed Weah's remarks on the team being the most important factor.

Blatter said: "It is not only the question of the best players, it's the best players in the best teams.

"Football remains a team sport and you can have the best stars but if they do not play as a team they will not be successful.

"This World Cup has shown again that there are big nations in football but there are no more minnows any more."