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Article Posted In: 2010-07-10 00:00:15

David Villa and Wesley Sneijder are the favourites to win the World Cup's Golden Ball award for best player after the nominees were announced.FIFA's Technical Study Group selected 10 players to contest the coveted gong, which was last won by France's Zinedine Zidane at Germany 2006. Accredited media representatives will now vote for their top three stars of the tournament, with the winners set to be announced after Sunday's final. Xavi could gain his second major tournament award in a row if he is named the winner, after being named the best player of Spain's victorious Euro 2008 campaign. Barcelona compatriot Andres Iniesta has also enjoyed an excellent tournament, displaying all the qualities to demonstrate why some consider him the finest midfielder in the world and scoring against Chile in their final group game. Camp Nou new boy Villa has been prolific during the finals, accounting for five of Spain's seven goals, including wonder strikes against Honduras and Chile and grabbing the winners in the knockout games against Portugal and Paraguay. Sneijder and Arjen Robben are the Dutch representatives, with Sneijder and Villa poised to battle it out for the top goalscorer award as they sit on five goals apiece. Sneijder has proved a crucial component of his team's run to the final to top off a treble winning season at club level with Inter Milan, whilst Robben shook off a worrying hamstring injury to give the Dutch an added thrust in the final third, scoring against Slovakia and Uruguay upon his return. Another Barcelona representative is Lionel Messi who, despite not scoring a goal in the finals, demonstrated his ability as arguably the world's best player with a series of dazzling performances for Argentina. Germany also enjoyed an excellent tournament despite coming up short in the semi-final against Spain, with midfielders Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinstegier named among the contenders. Ozil has seen a sharp rise to become a household name after the 23-year-old starred in group games against Australia and as a goalscorer against Ghana, as well as playing a vital part in their destruction of England and Argentina in the knockout phases. Schweinsteiger also excelled in a central role for the Germans, pulling the strings and setting up counter attacks at will, as well as demonstrating his maturity as the oldest player in leading the midfield at just 25. Uruguay forward Diego Forlan also capped an excellent personal season by scoring three superb long-range goals to guide his side to the semi finals, but also taking a role as playmaker for the team. Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan makes up the shortlist, having scored three goals and working tirelessly up front for the Black Stars. It is a bittersweet reward for the Rennes forward however, after hitting the bar with a last minute penalty in extra time against Uruguay in the quarter final and seeing his side exit in the shootout. World Cup Golden Ball nominees: David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta (Spain); Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben (Holland); Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil (Germany); Diego Forlan (Uruguay); Asamoah Gyan (Ghana); Lionel Messi (Argentina). Villa: Favourite to win Golden Ball

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