Mueller eyes prize, but would prefer World Cup

Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller is the favourite to be voted the best young player at South Africa 2010 – but has admitted winning the World Cup would have been a better prize.

The 20-year-old has been short-listed by a FIFA committee for the award – won by team-mate Lukas Podolski four years ago – along with Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos and Ghana’s Andre Ayew.

After Germany were beaten 1-0 by Spain in Wednesday’s semi-final, Mueller says his side must now win Saturday’s third place play-off against Uruguay in Port Elizabeth to finish their World Cup on a high.

“I am delighted to be on that list, but winning the World Cup would have been a nicer reward,” said the Bayern Munich midfielder.

“I think we need a win to leave South Africa on a high.”

Having scored four goals so far at South Africa 2010 – including two against England in the round of 16 and a header against Argentine in the quarter-final – Mueller has become a household name during this World Cup.

He was suspended for the defeat to Spain and his presence was missed in Germany’s midfield.

Mueller only broke into Bayern Munich’s first team at the start of the season and won his first cap in March before taking the World Cup by storm as part of a Germany side playing free-flowing football.

His Bayern team-mates Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel will both be part of the Netherlands team to face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final and Mueller says he hopes the Oranje lifts the title.

“The Dutch have been playing well, they qualified early for the final, I am surprised they haven’t played with the some flair they showed at Euro 2008, but you underestimate the Dutch at your peril,” he said.

“I haven’t really spoken or texted (Robben or van Bommel) since the semi-finals, but I know it is their dream.

“It would be great if they won the World Cup, because my club team would field world champions.”