Messi, Muller and Neymar named in 10-man Golden Ball shortlist

FIFA named Lionel Messi (L), Neymar (C) and Thomas Muller (R) in its 10-man Golden Ball shortlist on Friday.

FIFA named Lionel Messi (L), Neymar (C) and Thomas Muller (R) in Lionel Messi and Neymar are among the 10 players nominated for the award given to the World Cup's best player.
Seven of the candidates announced by FIFA on Friday play for finalists Argentina and Germany. Messi is nominated along with Argentina teammates Angel di Maria and Javier Mascherano. Germany provides four candidates: Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller.
Neymar is the only candidate from Brazil among the players selected by FIFA's technical study group of coaching analysts.
Arjen Robben of the Netherlands and James Rodriquez of Colombia, the tournament's top scorer with six goals, complete the list.
The winner is selected by the FIFA technical group and announced after the final.
Both goalkeepers in the final are on a three-man shortlist to be named best of the tournament.
Manuel Neuer of Germany and Sergio Romero of Argentina are joined by Costa Rica's Keylor Navas.
The candidates for best young player are Memphis Depay of the Netherlands, and France pair Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane. Nominees for that award must have been born since Jan. 1, 1993.
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