Image source, Brazuca Twitter

"Here I am at the feet of Messi. It's like waiting for a rollercoaster to start," tweets the World Cup Brazuca ball.

Messi is the player who has completed the most dribbles at this World Cup with 24 and created the most chances for his teammates (18).

Gary Lineker
BBC Sport

"They should fill these non football days with a comp for teams that finished third in their groups, then England could play...oh wait a minute."

We have been struggling to handle the two-day rest period here at BBC Sport towers. What did we ever do before the World Cup started? Tell us how you manage to get through a rest day on #bbcworldcup.

James Milford:, external For those who have been saying, "These past two days have been a nice rest from football": seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.

Former Italy manager Cesare Prandelli is in talks with Turkish side Galatasaray to become their new coach. Prandelli, 56, resigned after a poor World Cup campaign in which the Azzurri bowed out at the group stage.

Speaking of Neymar, you can watch him tell you all about how he wants to win rather than play well by clicking on the highlights tab at the top of this page and accessing a video of his news conference from Wednesday.

Ben Smith
BBC Sport in Brazil

Image source, EPA

Neymar, as always, dominates the front pages in Brazil this morning. The headline in Salvador reads 'Neymar dribbles [around] the pressure.'

The Brazil No 10 gave a press conference yesterday and was asked about the pressure that has been and is being placed on his shoulders. "Of course in World Cup there is pressure," he said.

"But I think of it as a childhood dream. I've always dreamed of playing a World Cup. The day I saw Ronaldo doing wonders in 2002, I told myself that one day I want to do the same. And now, my turn has come. I will play against Colombia as if I'm playing in my backyard."

We are asking you who will win the Golden Ball - the award handed to the best player at the 2014 World Cup.

Richard Berry:, external Robben. Don't like his on the field antics but can't deny he is carrying an otherwise workmanlike team.

Jemal Mohammed:, external I thought they have scribed the name Messi on the Golden Ball already.

Adrian Worton:, external James Rodriguez will secure the Golden Ball in his part in knocking Brazil out tomorrow.

Tweet us on #bbcworldcup with your views.

Image source, EPA

Four years ago, Patrice Evra's international career was in turmoil as he led a player revolt against the French management in what turned out to be a doomed campaign.

Former Manchester United team-mate and BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand pays tribute to the defender and analyses how he had turned things around ahead of their quarter-final tie against Germany.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has given government workers Friday afternoon off to watch the national team play Brazil in the quarter-finals of the football World Cup.

The president will fly to Brazil to watch the match played in Fortaleza. The progress of Colombia to the quarter-finals has sent the country into a state of national euphoria.

Algeria's players will donate their prize money from reaching the last-16 of the World Cup to people in Gaza.

An extra-time defeat by Germany sent the African side home, but forward Islam Slimani confirmed the gesture, external he and his team-mates were making, saying "they need it more than us".

Argentina have delivered more crosses than any other side in the World Cup so far with 126 and sit only second to Belgium for shots on goal.

The South Americans have smacked 80 efforts at the target while Marc Wilmots's team have managed 83.

It has 0-0 written all over it then? Maybe not.

Diego Maradona says he feels "bitterness, rage and anger" towards an Argentina side which is not offering Lionel Messi the support he needs.

Image source, Getty Images

The 53-year-old - who inspired his country to World Cup glory in 1986 and managed the side to the quarter-final stage in 2010 - feels the team is functioning at 40% of its potential.

Maradona feels Messi could be blamed for a "catastrophe", adding Argentina currently have "no change of pace and no movement up front".

Netherlands versus Costa Rica will be the last quarter-final game played in Brazil.

Louis van Gaal's Dutch team are in form with 10 wins in their last 11 World Cup matches - the only blip being their 2010 final defeat against Spain.

Their opponents are in uncharted territory with Costa Rica unbeaten in four World Cup games for the very first time (W2 D2).

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in Brazil

"Copacabana beach was awash with France and Germany fans last night as they descended on Rio De Janeiro's iconic hub ahead of Friday's quarter-final.

"The Germany fans I spoke to were typically confident that their team will become the first to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals, but the French seem quietly optimistic of ruining their party - form and fitness would suggest they are perfectly capable of doing so."

Heading into Friday's first quarter-final Germany are the in-form team.

Joachim Low's side are unbeaten in 15 internationals (W10 D5), longer than any other side still involved at the World Cup.

But something has to give as France boss Didier Deschamps holds a perfect World Cup record as a player and manager. The 45-year-old captained his country to victory in 1998 and has not lost in the tournament as a manager to date.

"Flour use and foam in the public space of the city is hereby PROHIBITED," tweets the local authority of Bogota., external

Why I hear you ask? Apparently Colombians often celebrate by dousing people in the substances and it seems no chances are being taken when the country takes on Brazil in the World Cup quarter-final on Friday.

Alcohol is also banned but if victorious, I'm sure the locals will find some way of showcasing their joy.

Image source, Getty Images

And while we are on the subject of brilliance, we now want you to tweet us with who you think will be the player of the tournament.

The winner picks up the golden ball and the trophy is already tucked away in the loft at the homes of Zinedine Zidane (2006), Oliver Kahn (2002) and Romario (1994) to name a few.

Thank you for your tweets on who will be top scorer at the World Cup, now please tell us who wins best player. Tweet #bbcworldcup.

The perfect 10.

No, we aren't breaking into a sing-song inspired by the Beautiful South track don't worry.

Instead our friends who do clever things with video have cut a sublime piece on the World Cup's star number 10s, who as luck would have it, all seem to be performing.

You can access it by clicking on highlights at the top of this page.

Ricardo Carvalho signs a new one-year deal at AS Monaco, the French league club announce on Twitter., external

The former Chelsea defender played 37 times as Monaco finished runners-up to Paris St-Germain in France last season.

Phil McNulty
BBC chief football writer in Brazil

Image source, AP

"Next stop Fortaleza and what promises to be another piece of pure World Cup theatre here in Brazil as the hosts face Colombia in the quarter-final. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will address the media later.

"The expectation and anticipation is being ramped up by the day as Brazil move closer to fulfilling the dreams of a nation - but the dangerous Colombians and new poster boy James Rodriguez have shown they will pose a serious threat."