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Rodri wins Golden Ball over Messi at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 11:20 PM

Last updated Jul 19, 2026

Rodri wins Golden Ball over Messi at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Summary

Rodri of Spain received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite Argentina's Lionel Messi being a strong contender. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final, with Rodri's midfield prowess contributing significantly to the victory. Messi had a standout tournament but struggled to impact the final match, leading to the voters favoring Rodri. Messi's performance included eight goals and four assists, but the voters have historically been reluctant to award the losing team's player with such honors.

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By the Numbers

•Rodri won the Golden Ball after Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina.
•Lionel Messi scored eight goals and assisted four times during the tournament.
•Messi struggled to make an impact in the final match.
•Rodri's midfield performance was pivotal in Spain's championship run.
•Historically, voters often avoid awarding players from losing teams.

Latest Updates

11:20 PMYahoo Sports — Why Lionel Messi didn't win Golden Ball at World Cup, which instead was won by Rodri
11:18 PMYahoo Sports — Why Rodri won 2026 World Cup Golden Ball over Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe

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