Golden Ball nominees announced

With the World Cup coming towards an end, FIFA's Technical Study group have announced their nominees for the Golden Ball award.

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.

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); Messi (Argentina).