This is FIFA's announced shortlist for the Golden Ball.
Argentina - Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi. Germany - Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Phillip Lahm and Thomas Muller. Columbia - James. Brazil - Neymar. Holland - Robben.
Toni Kroos or Lionel Messi for me so far, i hope yet doubt James will get at least the Bronze.
Also the former winners.
1930 - Jose Nasazzi (Uruguay)
1934 - Giuseppe Meazza (Italy)
1938 - Leonidas (Brazil)
1950 - Zizinho (Brazil)
1954 - Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)
1958 - Didi (Brazil)
1962 - Garrincha (Brazil)
1966 - Bobby Charlton (England)
1970 - Pele (Brazil)
1974 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1978 - Mario Kempes (Argentina)
1982 - Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1986 - Diego Maradona (Argentina)
1990 - Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
1994 - Romario (Brazil)
1998 - Ronaldo (Brazil)
2002 - Oliver Kahn (Germany)
2006 - Zinedine Zidane (France)
2010 - Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
The only previous winner of the ones i've seen that i disagree with is Zidane in 2006. He was great and deserved Silver imo, but he was bad against Switzerland and average against South Korea and missed the Togo game through suspension. He was amazing in the knockout stage but i still feel FIFA were compensating for snubbing him in 98 and also because he was retiring. Cannavaro was great in every game for Italy and deserved the award imo. I also feel Iniesta deserved at least the Bronze in 2010.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28274011
