Fifa's technical study group added another three candidates and then selected the winner based primarily on technical factors, including time spent on the field and goals scored, as well as the impact the player had on the team.

"I would have very much liked to take another trophy home, but I'm very glad to have this," Podolski said. "It is a great honour for me to be given this award."

Germany lost in the semi-finals to Italy and will play Ronaldo and his Portugal team in the third-place match in Stuttgart this evening.

Ronaldo was lambasted in the British media for his part in the dismissal of Wayne Rooney - his team-mate at Manchester United - in the quarter-final win over England.

Ronaldo approached the referee, asking him to show Rooney the red card, after the England striker stamped on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho. He was shoved by Rooney and later called to his dugout.

That incident, along with accusations that Ronaldo faked injury and simulated fouls, probably cost the talented winger the award.

While Podolski is a steady forward and formed a good combination with Miroslav Klose up front for the Germans, he lacked the star qualities of Ronaldo and the likes of Argentina's Lionel Messi.

Technical-study group chief Holger Osieck said Podolski had started all of Germany's first six matches and played a combined 565 of a possible 600 minutes for the hosts.

Ronaldo was on the field for 395 minutes of Portugal's 575 minutes of match time.

Osieck conceded that Ronaldo had lost marks on the "fair-play"' factor and that his overall contribution to the World Cup was not as great as Podolski's.