Lionel Messi has been crowned the best player of the 2026 World Cup by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), days after FIFA gave its official Golden Ball award to Spain captain Rodri.
The IFFHS decision hands the 39-year-old Argentine star an alternative individual accolade, recognising his influence on Argentina’s run to the final, where they were beaten by Spain.
Messi had received the Silver Ball from FIFA – awarded to the second-best player of the tournament – with the Bronze Ball going to France forward Kylian Mbappe.
Statistical body backs Messi with top award
In contrast to FIFA’s voting-based honours, the IFFHS used a performance index to name Messi as the World Cup’s standout player.
The organisation said its ranking was driven by a combination of match ratings, goals scored, assists provided and the overall technical influence exerted by players throughout the tournament, particularly in the knockout phase.
According to the data compiled, Messi played eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals and delivering four assists, giving him 12 direct goal contributions.
The IFFHS concluded that this output, combined with his leadership and impact during decisive games, placed him above all other contenders at the tournament.
Contrast with FIFA’s Golden Ball verdict
The award comes shortly after FIFA officially named Spain midfielder Rodri as the best player of the World Cup, following La Roja’s victory over Argentina in the final.
FIFA’s Golden Ball is determined through an official voting process that factors in assessments from coaches, officials and experts linked to world football’s governing body.
Messi, who captained Argentina, was formally recognised by FIFA with the Silver Ball, while Mbappe collected the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third-best player.
The divergence between FIFA’s list and the IFFHS ranking underlines how different methodologies can produce different winners at major tournaments.
Different criteria, different winners
The IFFHS emphasises a more data-driven approach, drawing on a dedicated statistical index to judge individual performance over the course of the competition.
This model, which aggregates individual match ratings and key attacking metrics such as goals and assists, aims to quantify a player’s technical and tactical contribution in a more granular way than traditional ballots.
By that measure, Messi’s combination of productivity and influence, especially in the high-pressure knockout rounds, propelled him to the top of the IFFHS list, even though his team fell just short in the final.
The contrast with FIFA’s award to Rodri reflects the weight that different bodies attach to factors such as team success, positional role and subjective expert assessment compared with raw statistical output.
While FIFA’s Golden Ball will remain the sport’s official individual honour for the tournament, the IFFHS designation adds another layer to the debate over who truly stood out at the 2026 World Cup – and ensures Messi’s performances in North America carry an additional mark of recognition.
