Megan Rapinoe picks up World Cup Golden Ball award

United States winger Megan Rapinoe has been awarded the 2019 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award while Netherlands keeper Sari van Veenendaal claimed the Golden Gloves prize.

Germany’s Giulia Gwinn was presented with the Young Player award in her breakthrough tournament while hosts France picked up the Fair Play award.

Rapinoe, whose second-half penalty in the 2-0 final win over the Dutch proved decisive, finished on six goals alongside her international teammate Alex Morgan and England’s Ellen White.

Rapinoe and Morgan managed three assists each, while White got none, and Rapinoe was presented the award by virtue of having played fewer minutes than Morgan.

Both players were rested for the Group F victory over Chile but Rapinoe also sat out the semi-final win over England with a slight injury.

Netherlands keeper van Veenendaal was named best goalkeeper in the tournament as she conceded just five goals in seven games and pulled off a string of fine saves as the Dutch reached the final.