Diego Forlan (R) was voted the tourney's best player.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was awarded the Golden Ball as the World Cup's best player Sunday, and Germany forward Thomas Mueller won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer with five goals.

Forlan was voted the most outstanding player of the tournament by accredited media after leading his team to the semifinals. Forlan narrowly beat Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder, receiving 23.4 per cent of the votes to 21.8 per cent for the Dutchman. Spain striker David Villa was third with 16.9 per cent of the votes.

The 20-year-old Mueller helped Germany take third place with his five goals and three assists, and also won the Best Young Player award. Forlan, Villa and Sneijder also scored five times but each had one assist. Villa and Sneijder both failed to score in Sunday's final, won 1-0 by Spain.

Villa got the Silver Boot because his combined goals and assists total was achieved in fewer playing minutes than Sneijder, who collects the Bronze Boot.

Mueller wore the same No. 13 jersey as Gerd Mueller, the German great who was top scorer with 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Spain's Iker Casillas won the Golden Glove as the top goalkeeper.