I'm never enamoured of list of "best players" because the whole thing is entirely subjective. One man's Messi is another man's Heskey. Based solely on performances in this world cup, I would say that the players who contributed most to their teams' performances would be (in no particular order): Diego Forlan: Led the line brilliantly for Uruguay throughout. He has been too much of a handful for every defence that has attempted to shackle him, and has been the inspirational factor that has lifted the other players in the team to perform above their usual level. The Uruguayan team has been greater than the sum of its' parts because of the performances of Diego Forlan. David Villa. Without his goals, Spain wouldn't have gotten beyond the group phase. Spain truly do have a "Golden Generation" and their passing and ball retention is sublime. But with Torres mis-firing in this competition, it has been left to David Villa to get the goals necessary to keep the team winning. Arjen Robben. Missing at the start of the tournament through injury and I think it showed. When he returned to the team, Holland gained another dimension. This lifted them a level and turned a good team into a very good team. Spain start as favourites to win on Sunday, but I'm sure that Arjen Robben won't be reading that particular script. And Spain will know it. Honourable mentions: Lionel Messi & Carlos Tevez: For making Argentina look better than ordinary Sebastian Schweinsteiger: For unstinting, towering performances Maicon: For being the only Brazilian who tried to play like a Brazillian should The entire USA team: For their heart, commitment and willingness to work until they dropped. .
I would actually put Sneijder in front of Robben for Holland, for me he is neck and neck with Villa for player of the tourney.
After his no-show in the semifinals, I would move Sch.... down a spot or two. You need to step up in the most important games and he did not.
Sneijder & Robben are the most dangerous World Cup duo. Tevez & Messi are equal in talent but they didn't perform when it was on the line.
Further reward that cheater? If Germany played badly this tournament and Ghana did well, I guess Kevin Prince-Boateng would've gotten at least the Bronze Ball by your standards since he boosted Ghana's chances of advancing by injuring Michael Ballack.
Is it also cheating to take out a player on a breakaway? It's the same thing. Stop a sure goal and make them score on the penalty kick.
David Villa is having a MUCH better World Cup than Messi. At the moment I would put him at the top along with Robben, Xavi, and Sneijder
Are you kidding?? Schweinsteiger was a beast against Spain. It looked like he was the only German playing. Well, him and the goalkeeper.