Germany striker Lukas Podolski has won the Fifa young player of the World Cup award after a series of fine displays.
The 20-year-old has scored three goals in Germany's six matches so far.
Podolski said: "I would have liked to have taken home the World Cup - but this is a great honour and is a great motivation to become more successful."
Podolski beat off competition from Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Valencia and Tranquilo Barnetta to win the coveted prize.
No England players were shortlisted for the award.
Podolski scored in the final group game against Ecuador and bagged a brace in the 2-0 second round victory over Sweden.
Holger Osieck, head of the Fifa technical study group, said: "He not only scored three goals, he was a key element in Germany's attack.
"He showed a great understanding with Miroslav Klose and the two players formed a very effective partnership."
There was a concerted email campaign by England fans to stop Portugal winger Ronaldo from winning the award.
The Portuguese winger, pilloried for his part in the sending off of Wayne Rooney, was leading the Fifa website vote by a huge margin.
But an email urging fans to vote for Ecuador's Luis Valencia instead led to an incredible 24-hour turnaround.
The hate campaign started after the quarter-final between England and Portugal in Gelsenkirchen, when Ronaldo was pushed by Manchester United team-mate Rooney, just before the England striker received a red card.
Ronaldo was caught on camera apparently winking at the bench after Rooney's dismissal, infuriating England fans.
Podolski won the prize because Fifa had the final say, chosen by a 14-man panel.