FIFA releases World Cup Golden Ball nominees!Do you agree with the List?
FIFA officially announced the names of the ten players in
the running for the adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to
the competition's most outstanding performer.
The shortlist was drawn up by the members of FIFA's
Technical Study Group, who have been casting their expert
eyes over each and every one of the matches held at Brazil
2014 to date. Appearing in alphabetical order, the 10
contenders for the accolade are as follows...see them after
the cut...
- Angel Di Maria (Argentina)
In providing Lionel Messi with the best possible support, Di
Maria has led the Albiceleste attack with distinction, posing
a constant menace to opposing defences with his long-
range shooting, mazy dribbling and finishing skills, which he
showcased with a well-taken winner against Switzerland in
the Round of 16.
- Mats Hummels (Germany)
The Borussia Dortmund centre-half has attracted much
praise for his solid displays at the heart of the German
defence. As if that were not enough, Hummels has also
impressed at the other end of the pitch, rising high to score
against Portugal in the group phase and head home the
winner against France in the quarter-finals.
- Toni Kroos (Germany)
Kroos ran the show as Die Mannschaft swept aside hosts
Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals, dominating the midfield and
posing a constant threat with his passing and shooting,
which brought him two goals – all in a day's work for this
most consistent of performers.
- Philipp Lahm (Germany)
The Germany captain began the tournament in midfield
before seamlessly making the switch to the right-back slot,
without it undermining his performance levels or his
considerable influence on Joachim Low's side.
- Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
Though their much-vaunted attack attracts most of the
headlines, Argentina have also been solid in defence, a large
part of the credit for which must go to Mascherano for his
tireless work in providing the Albiceleste rearguard with
essential protection.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi had never scored at the world finals prior to Brazil
2014, a record he emphatically set straight with some lethal
finishing in each of Argentina's three group matches.
Though yet to find the back of the net in the knockout
rounds, he has remained an influential figure for his side.
- Thomas Muller (Germany)
In opening his campaign with a hat-trick against Portugal,
Muller picked up where he left off at South Africa 2010,
where he collected the adidas Golden Boot. His
performances since have underlined his status as the
spearhead of Germany's deadly front line.
- Neymar (Brazil)
Though only 22, the livewire forward ably shouldered the
huge responsibility of leading A Seleção. Neymar was his
side's stand-out performer with four goals before an
unfortunate injury ended his tournament in the quarter-
finals.
- Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
The flying Dutch wide man has been in peerless form since
putting defending champions Spain to the sword in his
side's opening match. His incisive runs from deep have
been a feature of the tournament.
- James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Recognised as a huge talent heading into the competition,
the gifted Rodriguez has since proved his ability to rise to
the big occasion. His haul of six goals in five outings was a
major reason why Los Cafeteros broke new ground in
reaching the last eight for the first time.
The winners of the adidas Golden Ball, Silver Ball and
Bronze Ball will all be announced after Sunday's Final.
The FIFA Technical Study Group
Headed by Jean-Paul Brigger, the FIFA Technical Study
Group assesses the football played in each of the 64
matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. Its members
are Gerard Houllier (France), Raul Arias (Mexico), Gabriel
Calderon (Argentina), Ricki Herbert (New Zealand), Abdel M.
Hussein (Sudan), Ka Ming Kwok (Hong Kong), Ioan Lupescu
(Romania), Gines Melendez Sotos (Spain), Tsuneyasu
Miyamoto (Japan), Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria), Mixu
Paatelainen (Finland), Jaime Rodriguez (El Salvador) and
Theodore Whitmore (Jamaica).
Previous adidas Golden Ball winners:
1982 FIFA World Cup Spain: Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
1990 FIFA World Cup Italy: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
1994 FIFA World Cup USA: Romario (Brazil)
1998 FIFA World Cup France: Ronaldo (Brazil)
2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: Zinedine Zidane (France)
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
the running for the adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to
the competition's most outstanding performer.
The shortlist was drawn up by the members of FIFA's
Technical Study Group, who have been casting their expert
eyes over each and every one of the matches held at Brazil
2014 to date. Appearing in alphabetical order, the 10
contenders for the accolade are as follows...see them after
the cut...
- Angel Di Maria (Argentina)
In providing Lionel Messi with the best possible support, Di
Maria has led the Albiceleste attack with distinction, posing
a constant menace to opposing defences with his long-
range shooting, mazy dribbling and finishing skills, which he
showcased with a well-taken winner against Switzerland in
the Round of 16.
- Mats Hummels (Germany)
The Borussia Dortmund centre-half has attracted much
praise for his solid displays at the heart of the German
defence. As if that were not enough, Hummels has also
impressed at the other end of the pitch, rising high to score
against Portugal in the group phase and head home the
winner against France in the quarter-finals.
- Toni Kroos (Germany)
Kroos ran the show as Die Mannschaft swept aside hosts
Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals, dominating the midfield and
posing a constant threat with his passing and shooting,
which brought him two goals – all in a day's work for this
most consistent of performers.
- Philipp Lahm (Germany)
The Germany captain began the tournament in midfield
before seamlessly making the switch to the right-back slot,
without it undermining his performance levels or his
considerable influence on Joachim Low's side.
- Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
Though their much-vaunted attack attracts most of the
headlines, Argentina have also been solid in defence, a large
part of the credit for which must go to Mascherano for his
tireless work in providing the Albiceleste rearguard with
essential protection.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi had never scored at the world finals prior to Brazil
2014, a record he emphatically set straight with some lethal
finishing in each of Argentina's three group matches.
Though yet to find the back of the net in the knockout
rounds, he has remained an influential figure for his side.
- Thomas Muller (Germany)
In opening his campaign with a hat-trick against Portugal,
Muller picked up where he left off at South Africa 2010,
where he collected the adidas Golden Boot. His
performances since have underlined his status as the
spearhead of Germany's deadly front line.
- Neymar (Brazil)
Though only 22, the livewire forward ably shouldered the
huge responsibility of leading A Seleção. Neymar was his
side's stand-out performer with four goals before an
unfortunate injury ended his tournament in the quarter-
finals.
- Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
The flying Dutch wide man has been in peerless form since
putting defending champions Spain to the sword in his
side's opening match. His incisive runs from deep have
been a feature of the tournament.
- James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Recognised as a huge talent heading into the competition,
the gifted Rodriguez has since proved his ability to rise to
the big occasion. His haul of six goals in five outings was a
major reason why Los Cafeteros broke new ground in
reaching the last eight for the first time.
The winners of the adidas Golden Ball, Silver Ball and
Bronze Ball will all be announced after Sunday's Final.
The FIFA Technical Study Group
Headed by Jean-Paul Brigger, the FIFA Technical Study
Group assesses the football played in each of the 64
matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. Its members
are Gerard Houllier (France), Raul Arias (Mexico), Gabriel
Calderon (Argentina), Ricki Herbert (New Zealand), Abdel M.
Hussein (Sudan), Ka Ming Kwok (Hong Kong), Ioan Lupescu
(Romania), Gines Melendez Sotos (Spain), Tsuneyasu
Miyamoto (Japan), Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria), Mixu
Paatelainen (Finland), Jaime Rodriguez (El Salvador) and
Theodore Whitmore (Jamaica).
Previous adidas Golden Ball winners:
1982 FIFA World Cup Spain: Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
1990 FIFA World Cup Italy: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
1994 FIFA World Cup USA: Romario (Brazil)
1998 FIFA World Cup France: Ronaldo (Brazil)
2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: Zinedine Zidane (France)
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
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