Who do you think will win The Adidas Golden Ball in 2006?

[AreliusIV]

Since 1982, the media has awarded The Adidas Golden Ball for the World Cup tournament's best player. FIFA announces a shortlist of ten nominees which is then voted by media representatives. Past winners include:

1982 Paolo Rossi; Italy
1986 Diego Maradona; Argentina
1990 Salvatore Schillaci; Italy
1994 Romario; Brazil
1998 Ronaldo; Brazil
2002 Oliver Kahn; Germany

[AreliusIV]

Every FIFA World Cup™ finals produces one outstanding player destined to leave an indelible mark on the tournament in question. Beginning in 1982, FIFA and adidas have recognised the exceptional performers by awarding the adidas Golden Ball at the end of the event.

The Golden Ball is arguably the most coveted individual trophy in the world game. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, Germany's Oliver Kahn became the first goalkeeper to claim the prestigious award, accepting a newly-created version of the trophy inscribed with the names of all previous winners.

Alongside Kahn, the glittering prize has gone to Paolo Rossi (Italy), Diego Maradona (Argentina), Toto Schillaci (Italy), Romario (Brazil) and Ronaldo (Brazil). The names of all future winners will be added after each tournament.

The award procedure involves the FIFA technical committee nominating a shortlist of ten contenders following the semi-finals, before media representatives meet at the play-off for third place to elect the winner of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Balls.

The new design commissioned by adidas is based on the historic Chile ball created by the equipment manufacturer in 1960 and remains in adidas and FIFA's possession. The world governing body keeps the trophy on permanent display at FIFA House in Zurich.

[AreliusIV]

Golden Ball History

[Burninator]

!!!!!TEVEZ!!!!!

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by Burninator

!!!!!TEVEZ!!!!!

BTW, I have Tevez nominated for the Golden Shoe...

[prk166]

It'll be hard for Tevez to win it if he's not starting every game.


I went with Alonso. I don't think he'll get it but if Spain wins it, he'll be the cornerstone.

[AreliusIV]

Adidas Golden Ball shortlist revealed

Thierry Henry
Patrick Vieira
Zinedine Zidane
Michael Ballack
Miroslav Klose
Gianluigi Buffon’s
Fabio Cannavaro
Andrea Pirlo
Gianluca Zambrotta
Maniche

[AreliusIV]

Although this award is generally given to a playmaker, that is not always the case. For example, in 2002 a goalkeeper (Oliver Kahn) got it.

The positions of the 2006 are broken down as follows:

One goalkeeper (Buffon)
Two defenders (Cannavaro, Zambrotta)
Two central midfielders with games too well-rounded to call them "defensive" (Vieira, Maniche)
Three playmakers (Pirlo, Zidane, Ballack)
Two forwards (Henry, Klose)

[AreliusIV]

Vote for your choice here.

[Aerick]

It's too bad the Portugese GK wasn't included (Ricardo?). He's been a GK stud as much as Buffon. Did they not see him during the England PK shoot-out??? What about his attempted assist against FRA in the waning seconds of the game? He also made the right move against Zidane's PK, and missed it by a hairs-breath because he's vertically challenged.