FIFA unveiled on Thursday the ten candidates for the 2006 adidas Golden Ball, the prestigious award presented at each FIFA World Cup to the tournament’s outstanding player.
The shortlist has been drawn up by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) and, with only players who reached the last four considered eligible for selection, representatives of the media will now pick from a field comprising three Frenchmen, two Germans, four Italians and a solitary Portuguese.
Past winners of adidas Golden Ball arguably the most sought-after individual trophy in football include the likes of Oliver Kahn (2002), Romario (1994) and Diego Maradona (1986), and though there can be only one winner, Silver and Bronze Balls will be awarded to the two runners-up.
