As one of the best World Cups in recent history winds down, the time to decide who will claim the prestigious Golden Ball, the award given to the tournament’s best player, grows nearer.
While recent history suggests the Golden Ball doesn’t necessarily need to come from the eventual World Cup champions – Brazil’s Romario was the last to lift both trophies in 1994 – at least a semifinal spot is needed to be in the running.
That likely means Colombia’s James Rodriguez, the current favorite to win the Golden Boot with six goals, is out of contention. Brazil’s Neymar, whose participation sadly ended in the quarterfinal, should also be out of the running.
The eventual winner could be decided by how the Brazil vs. Germany and Netherlands vs. Argentina semifinals play out. The performance of these three players, who are likely front-runners for the award, are particularly ones to watch out for.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Top 3 Candidates for 2014 World Cup Golden Ball
Lionel Messi – Argentina
The only criticism people had left to throw at Lionel Messi, the four-time FIFA World Player of the Year and three-time Champions League winner, was that he hadn’t lifted his game to stratospheric levels for his country. But with his World Cup performance to date, those arguments are now invalid.
As Argentina’s wealth of attacking talent has disappeared throughout the tournament, Messi has stepped up to almost single-handedly carry his country to the cusp of another World Cup triumph.
Messi scored in each of the three group stage games, the first two coming in the dying minutes against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iran to fire Argentina to victory. And it was his key assist that released Angel di Maria, who scored the goal near the end of extra time to sink Switzerland.
Leading Argentina to the title reminiscent of the great Diego Maradona would ensure Messi another shiny piece of hardware. But even if they fall short of their ultimate goal, Messi may have done enough to grab that Golden Ball.
Arjen Robben – Netherlands
The Netherlands’ unlikely run to a second straight World Cup semifinal can be attributed in large part to the brilliance of Arjen Robben, the team’s co-leading scorer with three goals. The 30-year old winger has thrived in Dutch coach Louis van Gaal’s system, which has allowed him to use his exceptional speed to terrorize opposing defenders.
One of the most memorable images of this World Cup will be of Robben making Iker Casillas and the Spanish defense look like amateurs flailing around in his wake.
Robben will have his detractors because of his unfortunate penchant for diving (see: his controversial penalty against Mexico in the Round of 16). But this shouldn’t take away from his other tremendous performances in this tournament.
His teammate, Wesley Sneijder, came in second for the Golden Ball in 2010, when the Netherlands lost to Spain in the final. For Robben to win it this time around, he may have to lead the Oranje all the way to the country’s first ever World Cup.
Manuel Neuer – Germany
Of the 19 previous World Cups, only one goalkeeper has been deemed the best player in the tournament. That lone exception was Germany’s Oliver Kahn in 2002. With Germany’s lack of truly standout outfield players this tournament, Manuel Neuer may be set to make it two German goalies out of two to claim the award.
Neuer has been his typically great self in terms of keeping the opposition from scoring; he’s kept three clean sheets in their five games thus far. But his contributions have gone beyond shot-stopping. Due to Germany’s high defensive line, he’s also playing as a sweeper of sorts, a role hardly any other ‘keeper in the world can perform as well.
As with any goalkeeper, the odds will likely be stacked against Neuer to win over his flashier rivals. But if Neuer repels Robben or keeps out Messi in the final, getting the upper hand over one of those other two contenders would build his case to win the award.
Writer’s Prediction
Whether Argentina wins or loses the Cup, the Golden Ball looks like Lionel Messi’s to lose. His heroics during the group stage and the first two games of the knockout stage have been the sole reason his team is still in the competition. With his biggest rivals in Neymar and Rodriguez gone, no one from the Netherlands, Brazil or Germany can make a strong enough case take the Golden Ball from Messi. Create a betting account and have your say on who wins this prestigious award.
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