Fifa announced its ten-player shortlist for the player of the World Cup tournament on Friday.
None of the five African participants’ players made the list, which includes three from Argentina, and four from Germany, both nations in contention to rule world football after Sunday’s final at the Maracana.
Barcelona pair, Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano alongside Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria are the three Argentinians gunning for the award which was first won by Uruguay’s former full-back Jose Nasazzi in 1930.
Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Philip Lahm and Thomas Muller are the three contenders aiming to emulate former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who claimed the award in 2002..
Colombia’s James Rodriguez, Brazil’s Neymar and Arjen Robben of the Netherlands complete the list.
Fifa has also revealed the nominees for the Golden Glove competition, awarded to the best goalkeeper at the World Cup.
Keylor Navas of Costa Rica, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Argentina’s Sergio Romero, who kept Ron Vlaar’s and Wesley Schneider’s effort out during the semi-final win over Holland are in the frame.
The nominees for the best young player of the tournament are the Netherlands’ Memphis Depay, Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane of France.
The winner of each competition are to be announced after Sunday’s final.
