World Cup 2010: Diego Forlan collects Golden Ball award
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8804708.stm
Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was named the winner of the Golden Ball as the best player of the World Cup.
The Atletico Madrid forward, 31, scored five goals and was a major influence as his team unexpectedly reached the semi-finals in South Africa.
Thomas Mueller, who also scored five times, won the Golden Boot for most goals - as he provided three assists.
The German thus beat Forlan, Spain's David Villa and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands to the coveted prize.
Rising star Mueller, 20, was also named by Fifa as the best young player of the tournament.
The Bayern Munich ace saw off Mexico's Giovani Dos Santos and Ghana's Andre Ayew for the prize.
Forlan finished top of a Fifa shortlist for his award following a vote by international media.
The former Manchester United player polled 23.4% of the vote, narrowly beating Dutch playmaker Sneijder - second with 21.8% - while Villa was third.
Meanwhile, Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas - who twice denied Arjen Robben of the Netherlands with the score at 0-0 in the World Cup final - won the Golden Glove award for being the best keeper at the tournament.
Casillas conceded just two goals in seven matches.