James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot, Leo Messi the Golden Ball and Paul Pogba voted best young player at the World Cup.
The tournament concluded in Rio de Janeiro tonight with Germany beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.
There were other trophies to be handed out, as Rodriguez of Colombia is the top scorer with six goals despite going out in the quarter-final stage.
Javier Mascherano felt “immense pain” at losing the World Cup to Germany. “This was our chance.”
Argentina pushed the Final to extra time, but Mario Gotze scored at the 113th minute to hand the trophy to the Germans in Rio de Janeiro.
Mario Gotze’s sensational chest and volley in extra time gave Germany their fourth World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0.
These sides hadn’t met since the 1990 Final, when West Germany beat Diego Maradona’s Argentina 1-0 in Italy. That was also the Albiceleste’s last outing in a Final and the most recent German World Cup victory.
Napoli are linked with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Christoph Kramer, who starts tonight’s World Cup Final for Germany.
Martin Demichelis claims Brazilians “threw fireworks at 4am” to keep Argentina awake ahead of the World Cup Final with Germany.
There is a strong rivalry between Argentina and Brazil, so the locals would not want to see the Albiceleste lift the trophy in Rio de Janeiro tonight.
Much-criticised Brazil striker Fred announced his retirement from international football after a dismal World Cup.
“For me, the Selecao is finished,” the 30-year-old told reporters.
He scored 15 goals in 33 caps and started every game at this World Cup, but only netted once against Cameroon.
Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano, Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose start the World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina, but Angel Di Maria does not.
It kicks off at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
There are conflicting reports over whether Angel Di Maria will start tonight’s Germany-Argentina World Cup Final.
It kicks off at the Maracanà in Rio de Janeiro at the earlier time of 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Di Maria limped off with a thigh strain just 33 minutes into the 1-0 quarter-final victory over Belgium last Saturday.
Mauro German Camoranesi has a dim view of Italy’s current squad, noting “there are only two great players.”
The 2006 World Cup winner has been critical of Mario Balotelli over the tournament in Brazil, but claims he’s just one of many issues.
Gonzalo Rodriguez spoke of his joy after officially renewing his contract with Fiorentina.
The defender put pen to paper on a new deal tying him to the Viola until June 2017.
“I am very happy and there were never problems negotiating the renewal, so it was easy to sign the new contract,” he said in a Press conference.
“We need to improve, even if other teams have great players, as we want to win something this season. We’ve got important players too.
