2010 player of the tournament

The FIFA Golden Ball is an awarded presented to the most outstanding performer of the tournament, with some of the sport’s finest winning the prize down the years, and on this occasion it went to a player who in our opinion thoroughly deserved the recognition. Diego Forlan wouldn’t have been a name on the forefront of many a punters lips before the tournament, although looking back it wouldn’t have seemed that crazy a punt considering he’s at the peak of his form right now in domestic football and was easily the star inside the Uruguay camp. Even so, his valiant efforts in helping Uruguay, who were the last team to qualify for South Africa 2010, to the semi-finals was sensational. The fact he played for lowly Uruguay didn’t necessarily get him pity votes, far from it, as his performances throughout the tournament in a role he isn’t all that familiar with were of high class. There were times, more notably in the knock-outs, when Uruguay appeared dead and buried about Forlan’s courageous and never say die attitude ensured Uruguay were never beaten until the final whistle rung loud.

Like we said, this award was fully deserved and went to the player who we felt was the outstanding performer of these finals in a team which at best boasted averaged players by profile. Now, in an egocentric way to toot our own horn, we didn’t get on Diego Forlan before the tournament to win the FIFA Golden Ball but we did do so just before the quarter-finals kicked-off, meaning we highlighted a 33/1 WINNER!

Holland’s Wesley Sneijder grabbed his second piece of silver, following up his second in the Golden Boot contest with another second in the Golden Ball behind Forlan. Spain’s David Villa, who accounted for five of Spain’s eight goals in these finals and was so often their match winner, claimed third.

Diego Forlan World Cup Statistics:

Games Played: 7
Minutes Played: 654
Goals: 5
Assists: 1
Shots: 32
Shots on Target: 15
Passes: 309 (54% pass completion rate)
Man of the Match: 2