German captain Oliver Kahn has become the first goalkeeper to win the best player of the World Cup award. The Bayern Munich star was given the Golden Ball award despite being at fault for Brazil's first goal in Sunday's World Cup final, which Germany lost 2-0.
Kahn's contribution in helping Germany into the final has been widely applauded, with most making him their top goalkeeper of the tournament. But the award has come as a surprise to Kahn, given that Brazil's Ronaldo scored eight goals in the World Cup and two in the final.
The award was voted for by members of the media at the World Cup, with Kahn pulling in 25% of votes, Ronaldo second and claiming the Silver Ball with 21%, while South Korea's Hong Myung-bo surprisingly came third with 18% to take the Bronze Ball.
Filed by James Shortt
