FIFA Named The Best Player Of The 2026 World Cup

• 20.07.2026, 9:52

And that's not Messi.

FIFA has announced the winners of the individual awards for the 2026 World Cup immediately after Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 in the final.

The title of the tournament’s best player and the Golden Ball went to Spanish midfielder Rodri: According to the results of a vote by the FIFA technical committee, he edged out Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi, who received the Silver Ball. The Bronze Ball went to French forward Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé also won the Golden Boot, securing his status as the tournament’s top scorer—he scored 10 goals and provided four assists. Messi ranked second in scoring with eight goals, while England’s Jude Bellingham came in third, having scored seven times.

A couple more individual awards went to the new world champions. Goalkeeper Unai Simón was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper and received the Golden Glove, while defender Pau Kubarsi was honored as the tournament’s best young player.

The Fair Play Award, presented for the highest level of sportsmanship in the tournament, went to the Netherlands national team.

The championship title came to Spain thanks to a goal by Ferran Torres, scored in extra time of the final match.