As promised, on Friday FIFA announced the footballers who are candidates to become the best player of the World Cup and receive the "Golden Ball" award. In total, about 10 contenders were announced.
Among the nominees, as it should be, there are mostly representatives of the national teams that reached the final of the world championships - Argentina and Germany. Germany is represented by four players, and the South American team has three players.
From the Argentine team, FIFA suggests choosing Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, and four-time best player in the world Lionel Messi.
The German national team has nominated Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm, and Toni Kroos.
In addition to players from these teams, the title is being fought for by Dutchman Arjen Robben, Brazilian Neymar, and currently the most effective player of the championship, Colombian James Rodriguez.
Today and tomorrow secret elections will be held, in which accredited journalists from the championship and FIFA technical commission members will participate. The votes will be distributed - 50 percent from journalists and 50 percent from FIFA.
The best player of the championship will be announced on July 13. The players who will take the second and third places will receive the silver and bronze prize.
The best goalkeeper candidates are Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, German Manuel Neuer, and Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
In 2010, the "Golden Ball" was won by Uruguayan Diego Forlan. Before that - by Frenchman Zinedine Zidane.
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