adidas announced the Golden Ball nominees on brazuca’s Twitter account and tweeted a little bit about each player.
(Huh, they couldn’t find a picture of Lahm? Last I knew he was sponsored by adidas)
The adidas Golden Glove award goes to the tournament’s best goalkeepers and is decided on by the FIFA Technical Study Group. Previous winners include Iker Casillas, Gianluigi Buffon, Oliver Kahn, Fabien Barthez and Michel Preudhomme. Up until 2006, it was called the Yashin Award in honor of legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin.
And the nominees are:
Keylor Navas, Costa Rica
The Levante stopper was arguably Costa Rica’s best player at Brazil 2014, including a match-winning display in the Round of 16 tie against Greece. Making 21 saves in Los Ticos’ five games, he was awarded the Budweiser Man of the Match Award on three occasions. At 26-years-old the best years of his career are firmly ahead of him.
Manuel Neuer, Germany
The keeper has played in all of Germany’s games so far, making 25 saves and completing 202 passes. He’s kept three clean sheets and been a commanding presence for Joachim Low’s side so far.
Sergio Romero, Argentina
Penalty shoot-out saves from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneidjer sent La Albiceleste into the final, capping a fine tournament for the 27-year-old. Brought into international football by Diego Maradona, he has been Argentina’s first choice keeper for five years.
Full profiles of each keeper are here at FIFA.com
– Lozil
Not sure how I feel about Timmy not being nominated. But keepers were such a huge force this tournament that it’s hard to say who SHOULDN’T have been picked. No Ochoa as well…
Yes, I thought Ochoa should be a nominee.
So did I
This is the shortlist for the Golden Glove, I believe. They may have been on the original nominees list. Otherwise that would be bullshit.
I was really surprised that Tim Howard and Ochoa were missing from the list. I figured the winner would be someone whose team had made it further, but they made such an impact it’s weird that they weren’t even nominated.
Mmm, guess the only criteria for the golden ball is to be in the finals and/or to be overhyped? And for the golden glove, seriously, Neuer? Howard should have that spot, easily. I can only cross fingers Navas gets it for the totality of his performances, and not one of the others for one game. Just don’t understand how the nominations are determined.
No Ochoa??…he definitely should have been nominated!..oh well…hope it goes to Keylor Navas then.