The ADIDAS GOLDEN BALL AWARD

The adidas Golden Ball award is presented to the outstanding player at each FIFA World Cup™ finals, with a short-list drawn up by the FIFA technical committee and the winner voted for by representatives of the media.

Past winners of the prestigious adidas Golden Ball award include famous faces such as Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in 2002, Brazil’s Ronaldo in 1998, Italia 90 hitman Salvatore Schillaci and Argentina’s 1986 World Cup™ winner Diego Maradona.

Every FIFA World Cup™ finals produces one outstanding player destined to leave an indelible mark on the tournament in question. Beginning in 1982, FIFA and adidas have recognised the exceptional performers by awarding the adidas Golden Ball at the end of the event.

The Golden Ball is arguably the most coveted individual trophy in the world game. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, Germany's Oliver Kahn became the first goalkeeper to claim the prestigious award, accepting a newly-created version of the trophy inscribed with the names of all previous winners.

Alongside Kahn, the glittering prize has gone to Paolo Rossi (Italy), Diego Maradona (Argentina), Toto Schillaci (Italy), Romario (Brazil) and Ronaldo (Brazil). The names of all future winners will be added after each tournament.

The award procedure involves the FIFA technical committee nominating a shortlist of ten contenders following the semi-finals, before media representatives meet at the play-off for third place to elect the winner of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Balls.

The new design commissioned by adidas is based on the historic Chile ball created by the equipment manufacturer in 1960 and remains in adidas and FIFA's possession. The world governing body keeps the trophy on permanent display at FIFA House in Zurich.

Previous winners:

* 1982 Spain Paolo ROSSI (ITA)
* 1986 Mexico Diego MARADONA (ARG)
* 1990 Italy Salvatore SCHILLACI (ITA)
* 1994 USA ROMARIO (BRA)
* 1998 France RONALDO (BRA)
* 2002 Korea/Japan Oliver KAHN (GER)