Is the World Cup Golden Ball award a consolation prize?

Fifa describes the Golden Ball as the award given to ‘the best player at each Fifa World Cup finals’, but the trophy is beginning to feel more like a consolation prize.

Here are the past five winners of the Golden Ball, none of whom played for the champions:

Brazil 2014

Lionel Messi was given the Golden Ball after a vote by Fifa’s technical committee. Messi’s Argentina finished second to Germany and he had four goals, but none in the knockout rounds. He said of the award: “The truth is, it doesn’t interest me at this moment.” Scroll down to see a video of Messi at his best in Brazil.

South Africa 2010

A vote of media members gave Uruguay's Diego Forlan the award. His team were fourth and his five goals were matched by three others, including Spain's David Villa. Some say a strong case can be made for Forlan, who scored in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

Germany 2006

France's Zinedine Zidane won, perhaps more on reputation than performance. He scored three goals, two were penalties, and left the tournament on an infamous note: he was shown a red card in the final for butting Marco Materazzi. Italy won in a shoot-out. His performance against Brazil was pretty memorable.

South Korea/Japan 2002

The goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was voted "best player" despite his Germany losing 2-0 to Brazil in the final. Kahn had conceded only one goal in six matches, but Ronaldo got two against him in the final and ended with eight goals, three more than anyone else scored. Click here to see Khan's top five saves from the tournament.

France 1998

Ronaldo won the Golden Ball despite Zidane, the "best player" in the minds of most, scoring twice in France's 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final and despite Ronaldo's limp performance following a seizure, or panic attack, before the match. Ronaldo has flashes of brillance before the final.

The biog

Family: Parents and four sisters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah

A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls

Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction

Favourite holiday destination: Italy

Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning

Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes

Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure

While you're here

Hussein Ibish: There are reasons for Democrats and Republicans to be happy

Rashmee Roshan Lall: Who are the women driving Joe Biden's success?

How our nine-month-old has made the Canadian winter a little bit warmer for us

Canadians rallying around a targeted Syrian restaurant is telling about attitudes to migrants

Don Cherry and the real issue with being one of 'you people'

UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP

Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan

Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri

While you're here

Nick March: Let's not be too choosy about our coronavirus vaccine

Damien McElroy: Vaccine passports a work in progress but essential

National Editorial: Digital passports will get the world moving again

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

What is double taxation?

Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.