Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan turned out to be the only African player on a 10-man list of candidates for the World Cup Golden Ball award. The Black Stars' World Cup campaign was highly lauded for their string of impressive performances. They came too close to being the first-ever African team to reach the semi-finals but were eventually ousted by Uruguay in a dramatic penalty shootout. Gyan, who scored three goals in the competition, was undoubtedly the best in the Ghanaian contingent but is not really expected to scoop the award. FIFA has announced on Friday the candidates for the Golden Ball award, which will be handed to the best footballer in the tournament. Finalists Spain and Holland have five players nominated for the prestigious prize, with David Villa, Xavi and Andres Iniesta chosen from the European champions. Xavi had been named the EURO 2008 best player for the major role he played in Spain's continental triumph. He has maintained his spectacular form for the past two years.
Villa Villa, on the other hand, is Spain's top scorer in the World Cup, having netted five out of his team's seven goals and could well be named the tournament's top scorer. Iniesta was not less impressive in the South Africa finals as he produced some scintillating displays throughout La Furia Roja's World Cup campaign. From Holland, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben were nominated for the Golden Ball award. With a five-goal scoring tally, Inter Milan ace Sneijder will be competing with Villa for the top-scorer award in Sunday's final. Robben, who fully recovered from the hamstring injury he had sustained right before the World Cup, was also one of Holland's most influential players. Argentina forward Lionel Messi was included in the list, although He could not score a single goal in the 2010 World Cup. Germany midfield duo Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinstegier were nominated despite the three-time world champions' disqualification from the semi-final round at the hands of Spain.
Messi Uruguay forward Diego Forlan put in some dazzling performances in the World Cup to be among the nominees. Germany and Uruguay will lock horns on Saturday in the third-place match. Accredited media representatives will vote to determine the winners of the adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze ball awards on FIFA.com. The winners will be revealed after the final. World Cup Golden Ball nominees: David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta (Spain); Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben (Holland); Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil (Germany); Diego Forlan (Uruguay); Asamoah Gyan (Ghana); Lionel Messi (Argentina).
