Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has won the FIFA Golden Ball as the outstanding player at the World Cup.

The Atletico Madrid man scored five goals, including a couple of stunners against South Africa and Germany, as Uruguay exceeded expectations to reach the semi-finals and then lose the third-place play-off 3-2 to Germany.

Forlan finished in a four-way tie with Thomas Muller, Wesley Sneijder and David Villa for the Golden Boot with five goals - an award Muller took on a tie-break thanks to having more assists.