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Kahn beats Ronaldo to Golden Ball

"There is no consolation" said Kahn after the 2-0 defeat

TOKYO, Japan -- German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has been given the Golden Ball award as the best player in the World Cup.

The 33-year-old national captain, who was criticised in the German media after he let in two goals in Sunday's World Cup final defeat by Brazil, is the first goalkeeper to win the award. (Kahn's 'error' haunts Germany)

In the media vote for the outstanding player, Kahn beat Ronaldo, who scored both Brazil's goals in the 2-0 win and was the tournament's leading scorer with eight.

Kahn got 147 votes, followed by Ronaldo with 126 and South Korean captain Hong Myung-bo with 108.

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He is the sixth recipient of the award following Italian striker Paolo Rossi (1982), Argentina's Diego Maradona, Italy's Toto Schillaci (1990), and Brazilians Romario (1994) and Ronaldo (1998).

It is some cheer for Kahn whose fumble in the second half of the final allowed Ronaldo to break the deadlock. (Match report)

At the end of the match he stood alone in his goal, threw away his gloves, leaned on the right post and was consoled by every teammate, Brazilian captain Cafu and Italian referee Pierluigi Collina.

"There is no consolation," he said at the time. "It was the only mistake I made in seven games and it was brutally punished."

Kahn's bitter end to the final had come hours after he was named the best World Cup goalkeeper.

German coach Rudi Voeller said. "Oliver played a dream World Cup, he stopped amazing shots. The mistake he made on the first goal was minor."