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France playmaker Zinedine Zidane, who will end his glorious career in the World Cup final against Italy on Sunday, has been short-listed for the prestigious FIFA Golden Ball award.

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The winner of the prize, which is given to the most valuable player in the 32-team tournament, will be announced on Monday.

The nominations were dominated by Italy and France with hosts Germany earning two spots and Portugal one.

Four Italians were nominated by FIFA's Technical Study Group - keeper Gianluigi Buffon, central defender Fabio Cannavaro, midfielder Andrea Pirlo and fullback Gianluca Zambrotta.

France, who face Italy at the Olympiastadion, had three players short-listed - Zinedine Zidane, striker Thierry Henry and midfielder Patrick Vieira.

Germany's playmaker Michael Ballack and striker Miroslav Klose were also selected along with midfielder Maniche of Portugal, who play the hosts in Saturday's third-place match.

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"It's going to be difficult to pick a winner this time," Franz Beckenbauer, Germany's organising committee president, said after the nominations were announced.