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Lionel Messi, Neymar and James Rodriguez have been named among those shortlisted for the Fifa Golden Ball 2014.

The award is presented to the best player of the World Cup finals and is voted for by members of the media and Fifa’s Technical Study Group. 

The Barcelona stars were named alongside James, the tournament’s current top scorer with six goals, as part of a 10-man shortlist that is dominated by Germany and Argentina – the two sides who will contest Sunday’s final at the Maracana.

Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria join Messi as the three Argentina players to make the list.

Favourites Germany have four nominations, with Mats Hummels and Toni Kroos joining captain Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller, who has scored five goals in Brazil so far.

Manuel Neuer, Keylor Navas and Sergio Romero have been nominated for the Golden Glove award for the tournament's best goalkeeper, with Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay shortlisted for the Best Young Player award.

Fifa Golden Ball Nominees

Mats HummelsGermany
Thomas MullerGermany
Toni KroosGermany
Philipp LahmGermany
Lionel MessiArgentina
Javier MascheranoArgentina
Angel Di MariaArgentina
NeymarBrazil
Arjen RobbenNetherlands
James RodriguezColombia

- 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 theAlbiceleste 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 Cafeterosbroke 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 GroupHeaded 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)
Source: http://9ja-ninja..com/2014/07/2014-world-cup-messi-neymar-robben.html

You couldn't have said it any better OP!!! If I hear say this thread no make FP

Good to know

I knew Germany would win, but not with this kind of margin. Anyways, serves the brazilians right, was never rootin for them anyways. They're just overrated

Chai! I can't believe this! I'm on frontpage and guess what? You already know what I wanna say. First of all, I wanna give God the glory, for keepin me alive to see this wonderful day. I never thought I was goin to join the league of FTC. I must say, this is a dream come true. I also wanna thank MTN for providin me with fast network (altho dem dey fvck up sometimes sha), then I wanna thank oga Seun for this wonderful platform. Lots of gratitude also goes to my mum for everythin she's done and is doin for me » you must eat the fruit of your labour. I also appreciate my family, friends, foes and critics. Without you all, I wouldn't have achieved this great feat. It feels great to be at the top. And as for you all that are hopin to achieve this feat, persistence is the key. Jux believe in urself and u will get here. In no distant time, you're going to shout FTC just like ur predecessors and I have done!!! @topic: Talk about hard currency! I'll get there

Colombia all the way!!! Meanwhile: To RUIN ur relationship, text MIKEL to 3888. To SAVE ur relationship, text ENYEAMA to 3880. For free megaBITE, text SUAREZ to 3881. To achieve ur OWN GOAL, text YOBO to 3074

July 29th

#TeamArgies all the way!

Uruguay (Suarez) bye bye, see ya in Russia 2018. Another gole by Rodriguez » 5 goles in 4 matches

GOAL!! I said it: Colombia all the way

My goodness! Nairaland is like a city and since the blast, I've been visiting different streets (sections) and since I registered last year, I must confess- I have never seen nairaland so calm and quiet, so scanty. I can still count a lot of popular names that I haven't seen their posts since nairaland's come-back. I scroll through the frontpage and I can still see last year's topics. I must say, I'm lovin the quietness, no e-fights and much crowd. I love nairaland this way and I honestly wish it'll continue like this. Which nairaland do u prefer? The nairaland before the blast (pre-nairaland) or this nairaland after the blast (post-nairaland)??

Colombia all the way

You forgot to add 'pay money into his bank account'

Off topic: I like the scanty nairaland I'm seeing

She has to do the needful. 400milla no be beans

I am a virgin. So can I insult you?

Messi

At first I thought it was jux gonna last for a few mins but then it lingered for hours and then, for days. I was wondering what went wrong, I googled and also visited the FB page and I discovered I wasn't the only one. I also stumbled upon another forum where I saw many of NL members like Vivly, Prowizy, Idrismusty97, Badoo and some others. Good to be back tho

Blackberry na blackberry..... BTW peeps, am a new bb user. How can i subscribe for MTN BIS plan and how much does it cost?? Anybody pls

Ladies have no business with what i want

We know the man already apologised and compensated the widow, but naija no dey carry last. Grab ur copy while stock lasts

Dubemkelly: Male virgins? Don't think such thing exists,our organ is external n as guys we don't get bothered over issues on sex. What's it with male virginity? Get irritated if a guy mentions he's a virgin* WTF?

You get irritated? Smh4u. Ima male V

eggheaders: My radio addiction ain't gat particular pattern. Wake up in the morning listen to koko iwe ninu iroyin on bond f.m.

Immediately after tune it to newspaper reviews on classic f.m


straight to smooth fm for freshly press.

Then to political platform on raypower fm.

Straight to my fav station to catch the last part of morning crossfire on nigeria info fm.

After that back to classic fm for rock monday.

By 12 pm back to nigerian info to catch diplomatic info.

Till the ali baba crew roll their shows off.

On tuesdays and thursdays evening hook up with rock city on metro f.m.

Hiphop classic on classic fm on saturday morning.

Discuss with jimi disu on sunday afternoon then to the palour discuss on radio continental.

Occasionally hook up with rick dees top 40 on cool f.m that my radio swag peeps.

The whole night is locked up on nigeria info to catch up with fola and gbenga. Those guys rock die on friday night with those make sense nigerian underground artist they also bring on.

Guy, u sure say u get tv for house so? Dis one wey u know all diz programs for radio