Softfootball understands that multiple top media outlets named Lionel Messi the best player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even though Rodri was officially awarded the tournament’s Golden Ball.
Here are the outlets that selected Messi:
- The Athletic
- IFFHS
- Sky Sports
- Softfootball
- The Guardian
- beIN SPORTS
- Fox Sports
- ESPN
- Sports Illustrated
- GOAL
- Yahoo Sports
- Bleacher Report
- CBS Sports
- The Daily Star
- Tribuna
Messi’s recognition from these outlets is widely justified. He produced 8 goals and 4 assists in 8 appearances, leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they finished as runners‑up after a 1–0 extra‑time defeat to Spain on 19 July 2026.
