The ultimate prize at the FIFA World Cup is lifting the 32karat gold trophy which is a collective team success given to the winning team. However, there are other individual awards given at the conclusion of the tournament.
They are:
1. The Golden Ball Award
2. The Golden Boot Award
3. The Golden Glove Award
4. The Best Young Player Award
5. FIFA Fair Play Trophy.
These 2014 winners of the awards are:
• The Golden Ball Award – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• The Golden Boot Award – James Rodriguez (Colombia)
• The Golden Glove Award – Manuel Neuer (Germany)
• The Best Young Player Award – Paul Pogba (France)
• FIFA Fair Play Trophy – Colombia
A special mention goes to a legend of the game, Rafael Marquez who joins a unique group of players that have participated five World Cup finals. Marquez is in Mexico’s final 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup. The Mexico captain made his debut with Mexico in February 1997 and has gone on to make 143 international appearances.
This exclusive group consists of just three players. Rafa’s compatriot Antonio Carbajal (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966), Germany’s Lothar Matthaeus (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998) and Gianluigi Buffon (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014).
Mexico are drawn in Group F with Germany, Sweden and Korea Republic.
Please use the comment box to provide us with your winner for the 2018 Golden Glove, Boot and Ball awards.