FIFA has promulgated the nominees for the World Cup's individual player awards and while all of them are deserving of the apperception, one denomination was saliently absent. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was left off the three-man goalkeeping award shortlist despite his record setting performance against Belgium in the round of 16 that ultimately wasn't enough to keep his team's improbable World Cup run peregrinated.
But afore designating those who were included, here are the nominees for the Golden Ball award, which goes to the tournament's best overall player:
Angel Di Maria, midfielder, Argentina — Robin to Messi's Batman. Scored Argentina's round of 16 triumpher afore suffering a thigh injury in the quarterfinals that ended his tournament.
Mats Hummels, advocator, Germany — One of the best advocators in this World Cup and he's withal contributed two goals.
James Rodriguez, midfielder, Colombia — The tournament's breakout star and leading scorer with six goals.
Toni Kroos, midfielder, Germany — A vital cog in the German machine. He's scored two goals and set up four others.
Philipp Lahm, midfielder/advocator, Germany — Germany's captain and most paramount player. Whether in midfield or at his natural position of right back, he's powered the team to the final.
Javier Mascherano, midfielder, Argentina — Has literally done Argentina's dirty work. The man tore his anus while averting Arjen Robben from scoring tardy in the semifinal.
Lionel Messi, deity, Argentina — Despite massive pressure, he's scored a moiety of Argentina's eight goals and set up Di Maria's in the round of 16.
Thomas Muller, striker, Germany — Five goals, three avails and five stitches. Wherever he is, goals appear akin to scarves out of a magician's sleeve.
Arjen Robben, genius and tumbling expert, Netherlands — His diving got lots of attention, but he led the Netherlands to an unexpected semifinal appearance with three goals, one avail and all of Mexico imprecating his designation.
Neymar, hope of a nation, Brazil — Afore suffering a back injury tardy in Brazil's quarterfinal win over Colombia, Neymar carried the host nation with four goals. Without him in the semifinal, his teammates seemed more concerned with paying encomium to their No. 10 than not losing by six goals.
The Best Young Player Award nominees are midfielder Paul Pogba and advocator Raphael Varane from France and Memphis Depay from the Netherlands. And the three goalkeepers deemed more preponderant than Tim Howard are shootout heroes Keylor Navas of Costa Rica and Sergio Romero of Argentina, plus the tournament's incontrovertible top keeper, Manuel Neuer of Germany.
The tournament's other individual award, the Golden Boot, will, of course, go to whoever scores the most goals. At the 2010 World Cup, Uruguay's Diego Forlan won the Golden Ball, Spain's Iker Casillas won the Golden Glove, and Thomas Muller won both the Golden Boot and Best Young Player Award.
