FIFA has included four German players among the candidates for the Golden Ball, (World Cup’s best player). The nominated Germans are: Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Müller.
Three players from fellow finalist Argentina also made the list, with Messi nominated alongside Ángel di María and Javier Mascherano.
Neymar is the only candidate from Brazil on the list selected by FIFA’s technical study group of coaching analysts.
Arjen Robben of Holland and James Rodríguez of Colombia, the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, complete the list. The winner will announced after Sunday’s final.
