Forlan gets Golden Ball as World Cup’s best player, Mueller wins Golden Boot as top scorer

Forlan gets Golden Ball, Mueller wins Golden Boot

JOHANNESBURG — Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has been awarded the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s best player, and Germany forward Thomas Mueller won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.

Forlan was voted the most outstanding player of the tournament by accredited media after leading his team to the semifinals.

The 20-year-old Mueller helped Germany take third place with his five goals and three assists, and also won the Best Young Player award. Forlan, Spain striker David Villa and Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder also scored five times but each had only one assist. Villa and Sneijder both failed to score in Sunday’s final, won 1-0 by Spain.

Spain’s Iker Casillas won the Golden Glove as the top goalkeeper.