10 April 2012
Ten players have been shortlisted for FIFA's player of the tournament award, including three from Spain and two from fellow finalists Holland.
The player will be announced after Sunday's final based on votes from journalists accredited for the World Cup.
The 2010 shortlist - which does not include a single goalkeeper - is: Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Arjen Robben (Holland), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Holland), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).
The Golden Ball award winner in 2006 caused some embarrassment to the organisers: Zinedine Zidane was announced shortly after being sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi.
