Zidane short-listed for Golden Ball award

BERLIN, July 6 (Reuters) Zinedine Zidane, the France playmaker who will end his career in the World Cup final against Italy on Sunday in Berlin, has been short-listed for the prestigious FIFA Golden Ball award.

The prize is awarded to the most valuable player in the 32-team tournament. The decision will be announced on Monday.

Of the 10 nominees, four are Italian and three French.

The nominations are: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Maniche (Portugal), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Thierry Henry (France), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Patrick Vieira (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Zinedine Zidane (France).

REUTERS PM VC1658