Forlan awarded Golden Ball

Diego Forlan has received the Adidas Golden Ball award after being voted the best player at the World Cup in South Africa.

The Uruguayan international was presented with the prestigious award by German football legend Franz Beckenbauer at a ceremony in Germany on Tuesday.

German winger Thomas Mueller was presented with the Golden Boot award as the top scorer at the World Cup, while Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas was received the Golden Glove award.

Forlan netted five goals in South Africa as Uruguay made the semi-finals before losing to Spain, and joins Zinedine Zidane, Oliver Kahn and Ronaldo on the list of past winners.

“It is obvious that this award is great for me, but it is for the work of the whole team,” Forlan said.

“The goals that I scored were very important in helping us win matches at key moments when matches were very tight. They were goals that I enjoyed and will remember.”

“The team awards are very rewarding and like in the case of Iker, he won the World Cup and of course one would prefer to win that trophy.”

“We are really happy with what we did in the World Cup, we gave joy to our country.”

Mueller, 21, joined Forlan, Spain’s David Villa and the Netherland’s Wesley Sneijder in scoring five goals during the tournament.

But the Bayern Munich player won the award by virtue of having assisted three of Germany’s goals as they finished third in South Africa.

“It’s unbelievable that already at my first World Cup I became the top scorer,” Mueller said.

“I really didn’t think of it when I went there as a midfielder and didn’t expect to score so many goals.”

“I’m very proud of the fact that I made it to the top of the list and am now following in the footsteps of previous trophy winners like Ronaldo, Gerd Muller and Just Fontaine.”

Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas conceded only two goals during the World Cup as Spain won the prestigious trophy for the first time.

“It’s a unique feeling that you cannot describe because it is too many years following this dream, the dream of all Spanish football fans,” Casillas said.

“I think after this two years, first with being European Champions in 2008, it has been two great years that the people won’t forget.”