Uruguayan striker Forlan named Best Player at 2010 World Cup

Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan has been recognized as the Best Player at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the FIFA has said on its website.

The 31-year-old striker will receive the adidas Golden Ball for taking the "starring role in his country`s heroic performance at the FIFA World Cup finals," the FIFA said.

Forlan scored five goals during the tournament, giving his team the chance to struggle for the third place at the World Cup championship for the first time in 40 years.

Although Germany won the bronze after defeating Uruguay 3-2, Forlan underscored his status as "one of the modern greats and the undisputed figurehead of his team", the football federation said.

Netherlands` midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Spain`s striker David Villa, who also scored five times each at the tournament, were recognized as the second and the third best World Cup players.

The tournament`s best players are elected by accredited media representatives. .

The adidas Golden Boot was awarded to Germany`s midfielder Thomas Muller, who scored 5 goals at the championship, including the opening goal in the third-place play-off. Muller "rates as the biggest discovery of the 2010 FIFA World Cup", the FIFA said.

Spanish forward David Villa and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder also finished on five goals, but with only one assist each, while Muller had three. Villa and Sneijder will receive the adidas Golden Boot and Bronze Boot, respectively.

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who "conceded just two goals at South Africa 2010," will be awarded the Golden Glove.

Spain, who won the World Cup for the first time in history after defeating Netherlands 1-0 in the final match, will receive the FIFA Fair Play Award.

"Spain have ended the tournament as both the best team in the world, and the fairest too: Coach Vicente Del Bosque`s men collected only eight yellow cards in the course of the tournament," the FIFA said. Although Korea DPR finished with just two yellow cards, but the team only played three matches at the finals, it said.

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