Dan Walker
BBC Sport

"Largely pointless but the third-place play-off has decided the destiny of five Golden Boots in the past."

Victor Chatfield:, external None of the attacking options have blown me away. Hummels should win the Golden Ball. But will a defender win it? Ha, likely!!

Tony M:, external My vote goes to James Rodriguez, although any number of goalkeepers can win it.

Churchman Duza:, external The Dutch maestro, Arjen Robben stands out for me in Brazil. Forget his diving antics. Sheer brilliance.

Image source, PA

Romario was cast into the international wilderness in the build-up to the 1994 World Cup. After an argument with coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, the striker was left out of Brazil's first seven qualifiers for the tournament.

But with one qualifier to go, Brazil were in danger of missing out on the finals for the first time. They needed a point from their final match against Uruguay to make it to the United States.

Parreira refused to recall Romario - until an injury to Sao Paulo forward Muller, coupled with a public outcry, forced his hand. The Barcelona striker scored twice; Brazil won 2-0 and went to the States, where his five goals helped to end his country's 24-year wait for a World Cup triumph.

"If I hadn't been called up to play against Uruguay, even if Brazil had won, I'm certain I wouldn't have gone to the World Cup," Romario later said. "I may never have played for the team again. But they needed me. There wasn't another option. I was their last hope."

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

Please keep your nominations coming in for your player of the World Cup. You can tweet us using the hashtag #bbcworldcup, external, text us on 81111 or let us know via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Just to recap: Fifa has announced 10 candidates for its Golden Ball award, given to the player judged to be the best at the World Cup finals. The candidates are: Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi (all Argentina), Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Phillip Lahm, Thomas Muller (all Germany), James Rodriguez (Colombia), Neymar (Brazil) and Arjen Robben (Netherlands).

So who would get your vote? And why?

West Brom head coach Alan Irvine on the signing of Belgium left-back Sebastien Pocognoli from Hannover:

"Sebastien is an experienced left-back who has played at a high level for many years.

"After being named in Belgium's provisional World Cup squad, he just missed out on Brazil, mainly because he hadn't played enough games towards the end of the season.

"But he's joined us with a real hunger to prove himself at Albion and get back into the international set-up."

Image source, Getty Images

Salvatore Schillaci's international career was relatively brief - 16 Italy caps in less than two years, and seven goals. Yet his sudden emergence was one of the big stories of the 1990 World Cup as the hosts reached the last four.

The Juventus striker - nicknamed Toto - arrived at the tournament with only two caps to his name. He did not even start Italy's first game, against Austria, but as the match edged towards a goalless draw, coach Azeglio Vicini decided to make a change. Schillaci was thrown on as a replacement for Andrea Carnevale and, 12 minutes from time, headed the winner from Gianluca Vialli's cross.

Schillaci was finally given a chance to start Italy's third game, scoring with a brilliant header as Czechoslovakia was beaten. The Azzurri had a new goal hero, as the fans warmed to his aggressive style. He scored in every one of his country's four remaining games at Italia 90. Italy finished third. Schillaci ended up as the tournament's top scorer with six goals.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

Image source, Getty Images

A bit of transfer news amid the World Cup build-up: West Brom have signed Belgium left-back Sebastien Pocognoli from German Bundesliga side Hannover.

Pocognoli, 26, arrives on a three-year contract., external The defender, who has 12 international caps, missed out on a place in Belgium's World Cup after missing the tail end of last season because of injury.

Andy Faulkner:, external Toni Kroos has confirmed himself as one if the top midfielders in world football, gets my vote for the Golden Ball!

Noah Bach-Marklund:, external Thomas Müller deserves it, due to his hard Work and commitment for his team.

Waseem Abbas Khemji:, external Messi deserves it. He is by far the best footballer in the world and this is his World Cup. Even better than Pele and Maradona.

BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson believes Luis Suarez is not irreplaceable for Liverpool.

The incoming president of the Brazilian Football Confederation has hinted that Luiz Felipe Scolari will keep his job as the national team manager.

Gary Lineker says he has been disappointed by Argentina forward Lionel Messi in this World Cup.

Image source, @adam_mugford

It seems some people are getting into the spirit ahead of the third-place play-off:

Adam in Sandurst posted this picture and message on Twitter:, external "3rd/4th playoff not exciting? Just created more excitement in my garden!"

John:, external Germany goal-stopper Manuel Neuer deserved it more than any other player there.

Jacob Harrison:, external Toni Kroos should win player of the tournament for playing outstandingly for his country to get his country to the final.

Viktor Allen:, external Mascherano is to Arg '14 what Cannavaro was to Ita '06. Irreplaceable. What 10-plus years' national service does.

Image source, Getty Images

The World Cup isn't just about watching the best players on Earth. It's also an opportunity to enjoy the reactions of some of the world's most passionate fans - and also those of the most excitable commentators.

James Rodriguez's stunner for Colombia against Uruguay, Miroslav Klose's record-breaking goal for Germany, and Argentina's semi-final shootout win against the Netherlands all feature in a BBC Sport round-up of TV and radio commentaries from other countries, which you can check out on our website.

Australian players Ryan McGowan and James Holland also relive Tim Cahill's memorable goal against the Dutch - it was McGowan who delivered the pass for Cahill's volley.

Image source, Getty Images

To England, he was a World Cup nemesis. To Argentina, he was a genius. To Sheffield United, he was the one who got away. There is only one Diego Maradona.

It is a true story that Maradona could have gone to Bramall Lane in 1978, but the Blades ultimately couldn't afford him, and instead signed Alex Sabella, now Argentina's coach.

Instead, Maradona made his way in Europe with Barcelona and Napoli, and became a global superstar by effectively winning the 1986 World Cup on his own. The best and worst sides of his game were demonstrated in just four second-half minutes of Argentina's 2-1 quarter-final win over England in Mexico City.

First, he scored with a blatant handball, somehow missed by Tunisian referee Ali Bennacuer. Moments later, Maradona set off on a mazy dribble past a host of helpless England defenders before scoring a superb individual goal. "You have to say that's magnificent," remarked BBC TV commentator Barry Davies. Few would argue.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

Christian E Ramos:, external James Rodriguez best all round player by far! Defends assists scores and goal of tourney so far!

Stix:, external Toni Kroos player of the tourney. Often overlooked but technically brilliant, the heartbeat of the team.

Phoenixville:, external Correct me if I am wrong but Robben should be excluded the nominees because of his dirty behaviour, he deserves nothing.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari looks set to keep his job despite Brazil's humiliating World Cup defeat to Germany.

The president elect of the Brazilian Football Confederation believes Scolari should remain in his post.

"To me, he stays," Marco Polo Del Nero, told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper. What happened was a tactical error. That was the problem. But we all make mistakes. It can happen to anyone.

"The important thing is that he did a good job. The campaign and the preparations were good. A base exists."

Image source, Getty Images

Paolo Rossi almost missed the 1982 World Cup in Spain. The Italy striker's career appeared to be in tatters when he was given a three-year ban in 1980 for alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal.

Rossi, who always maintained he was innocent, was accused of taking a bribe while playing for Perugia as part of a betting scandal known in Italy as Totonero. His ban was later reduced to two years and ended in April 1982, allowing him to return for that summer's World Cup.

The Juventus forward ended the tournament with six goals, including a clinical hat-trick that eliminated an exciting Brazil side, as Italy beat West Germany to win the trophy for the first time since 1938.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

BBC Sport pundit Alan Shearer has been answering your questions on the Match of the Day Facebook page., external

Marc Tindle asked: "Who's been your player of the tournament?"

Alan Shearer replied: "I still think there is a space to fill. If you ask me on Sunday night, I may have a different answer, as it depends if someone like Messi or Muller scored the winner. I would probably say Rodriguez at the moment."

Image source, Getty Images

Striker Luis Suarez has completed his move from Liverpool to Barcelona.

The Uruguayan was the top goal-scorer in the Premier League last season but BBC Sport's ex-Reds defender Mark Lawrenson believes Suarez is not irreplaceable.

Image source, Getty Images

With no Johan Cruyff, Pele or Franz Beckenbauer at the 1978 finals in Argentina, there was an opportunity for a new World Cup hero to step forward. Mario Kempes emerged as a hero as the host nation won the trophy.

Kempes had failed to score at the 1974 finals as Argentina fell at the second group stage, well beaten by the Netherlands in the process.

But having established himself as one of European club football's top strikers after moving to Valencia in 1976, he shone on home soil, finishing as the 1978 World Cup's leading scorer with six goals - including two in the final as the Netherlands were beaten 3-1.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

More from chief football writer Phil McNulty's Q&A session on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Jonny Tyers asked: "Considering Thomas Muller is only 24, do you think he can eclipse Klose's World Cup goals record?"

Phil McNulty: "He certainly has a chance. You can see him having at least one more World Cup and even though it will be tough, Thomas Muller has proved he is a natural goalscorer. Klose may yet add more himself but you wouldn't back against Muller popping up with another crucial goal in Sunday's final. So yes, he has got a real chance."