FIFA has awarded Golden Ball to Lionel Messi, which in my opinion is embarrassing Javier Macherano, Arjen Robben, Mats Hummels and James Rodriguez were far better than Messi.
FIFA has announced shortlist for 2014 world cup awards such as Golden Ball Award, Best Young Player and Golden Gloves award. Four German players has been included in the shortlist for Golden Ball Award (Best Player of 2014 world cup) While three Argentina players has made the list. While Neymar is also shortlisted for the most prestigious world cup indvidual honour.
| GOLDEN BALL | BEST YOUNG PLAYER | GOLDEN GLOVE |
| Thomas Muller (GER) | Memphis Depay (NED) | Keylor Navas (COSTA RICA) |
| Toni Kroos (GER) | Paul Pogba (FRA) | Sergio Romero (ARG) |
| Philipp Lahm (GER) | Raphael Varane (FRA) | Manuel Neuer (GER) |
| Mats Hummels (GER) | ||
| Lionel Messi (ARG) | ||
| Javier Mascherano (ARG) | ||
| Angel Di Maria (ARG) | ||
| Neymar (BRA) | ||
| Arjen Robben (NED) | ||
| James Rodriguez (COL) |
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WHEN THE WINNERS OF THESE AWARDS ARE ANNOUNCED ?
After the world cup final, FIFA technical group will be announcing the awards in the same night along with Golden Boot winner. in 2010 Wesley Snieder won the Golden Ball award and this year its a tough choice between Muller, Robben, Messi and Rodriguez.
Golden Ball Winner Predictions:
I have followed each and every world cup game and in my opinion Arjan Robben has been the best player with most consistant performances in the world cup so far and he pretty much carried this dutch team to semifinals. While German team’s success is more down to team-play so its hard to pick the standout player from German squad.
Lionel Messi was superb in group stages but in the 3 knockout matches played so far he has failed to score, but if he put up a final match winning performance he will be crowned the best player (Fifa love him anyway). James Rodriguez was another player who carried his team with great performances but my guess is award will go to the player of 2014 world cup champion team.
Robben has another game against Brazil and if he can put up a good show in that game he will have a good shot at winning the Golden ball.
Best Young Player Predictions:
I think Paul Pogba and Verane played extremely well in their first ever world cup, but Memphis Depay played his role for dutch side superbly so he is the one who might win it.
Best Goalkeeper:
I am surprised mexico keeper is not included in the list, but from the three shortlisted I think world cup winning team’s keeper will take hom Golden Glove award.