Forlán and Müller take top prizes
Monday, July 12, 2010
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Uruguay's Diego Forlán won the Golden Ball awarded to the FIFA World Cup's best player while 20-year-old Germany attacker Thomas Müller claimed two prizes including the Golden Boot.
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Uruguay's Diego Forlán was named Best Player of the FIFA World Cup after lighting up the tournament with some wonderful goals that helped his team become South America's only semi-finalists.
The Club Atlético de Madrid striker took 23.4% of votes in the Golden Ball poll organised by FIFA and voted for by journalists. Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder was second with 21.8% and Spain striker David Villa third on 16.9%.
All three scored five goals, making them joint top-scorers along with Germany's Thomas Müller. Müller claimed the Golden Boot award given to the top scorer, using assists and number of minutes played as a tie-breaker. The 20-year-old FC Bayern München forward was also named Best Young Player.
As well as winning the World Cup, Spain also took the FIFA Fair Play Award and captain Iker Casillas the Golden Glove prize for being the competition's outstanding goalkeeper.