Rodri wins Golden Ball, Messi takes Silver at World Cup

Spain captain Rodri has been awarded the official Golden Ball as the best player of the 2026 World Cup, following a tournament that saw Argentina reach the final and Lionel Messi move level with Miroslav Klose's all-time scoring record.

The official awards were confirmed after the final, with Messi receiving the Silver Ball and France's Kylian Mbappe taking the Bronze Ball. The trio were widely seen as the standout performers across the 104 matches played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Rodri was described as irreplaceable for both Spain and Manchester City, anchoring the midfield of the tournament's best team. Messi, at 39, delivered a hat-trick during the competition to equal Klose's record and was credited with eight goals and four assists in eight games.

Reporter picks and breakout stars

While the official awards went to Rodri, Messi and Mbappe, national reporters offered their own choices for standout player. Jude Bellingham was singled out for dragging England through several matches, and Michael Olise impressed with seven assists, including a memorable scissor-kick against Sweden that struck the post.

• Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player
• Lionel Messi claimed the Silver Ball with eight goals and four assists
• Kylian Mbappe earned the Bronze Ball for his performances
• Messi scored a hat-trick to equal Klose's World Cup scoring record
• Michael Olise was named a breakout star with seven assists

The World Cup closes with Spain's Rodri and Argentina's Messi among the leading figures, while younger players like Olise and Bellingham are expected to shape the next generation of international football.