Share

Neymar on best player shortlist

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil's injured star Neymar is on a shortlist for the Soccer World Cup's best player which also includes seven names from Sunday's World Cup final between Germany and Argentina.

Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria from Argentina are on the list announced by FIFA on Friday. Captain Messi has scored four goals heading into the final.

Germany have four representatives, led by skipper Phillip Lahm, five-goal scorer Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, and Mats Hummels.

Neymar, who scored four goals before he suffered a fractured vertebrae, Colombia's hot shot James Rodriguez, with six goals, and the Netherlands' veteran forward Arjen Robben make up the 10.

Past winners of the Golden Ball award for the best player include Uruguay's Diego Forlan (2010), Zinedine Zidane (2006), German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (2002) and Argentine legend Diego Maradona (1986).

The top goalkeeper award will be chosen from Keylor Navas of Costa Rica, Germany's Manuel Neuer, and Sergio Romero, the Argentine who saved two penalties in the semi-final shootout with Holland.

The young player of the tournament will be decided between Dutch starlet Memphis Depay, and French duo Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane.

The winners, to be chosen by FIFA's technical support group, will be announced after Sunday's final.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1847 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1813 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1105 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 473 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 262 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE