Spain’s triumphant FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign received further recognition on Sunday as midfielder Rodri was crowned the tournament’s best player, headlining the list of official FIFA award winners announced after the final.

Rodri, who inspired Spain to a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, claimed the prestigious adidas Golden Ball, awarded by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) to the outstanding player of the tournament.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi finished second to receive the Silver Ball, while France striker Kylian Mbappe was awarded the Bronze Ball.

Although he missed out on the Golden Ball, Mbappe emerged as the tournament’s leading scorer, winning the adidas Golden Boot after netting 10 goals and providing four assists in seven matches.

Messi, who finished with eight goals and four assists, claimed the Silver Boot, while England midfielder Jude Bellingham took the Bronze Boot after scoring seven goals and adding one assist.

Spain completed an impressive haul of individual honours as goalkeeper Unai Simón was named winner of the adidas Golden Glove, awarded to the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

The newly crowned world champions also celebrated another success with defender Pau Cubarsi receiving the Young Player Award presented by Aramco. The Barcelona centre-back, eligible for the award as a player born on or after January 1, 2005, was recognised by the FIFA Technical Study Group as the outstanding young performer of the competition.

The FIFA Fair Play Trophy presented by McDonald’s went to the Netherlands in recognition of their exemplary disciplinary record throughout the tournament.

The awards capped a memorable World Cup for Spain, who not only lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy for the second time in their history but also became the first nation to hold both the FIFA Men’s and FIFA Women’s World Cup titles simultaneously.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Award Winners

adidas Golden Ball

• Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain)
• Silver Ball: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Bronze Ball: Kylian Mbappe (France)

adidas Golden Boot

• Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France) – 10 goals, 4 assists
• Silver Boot: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals, 4 assists
• Bronze Boot: Jude Bellingham (England) – 7 goals, 1 assist

adidas Golden Glove

• Unai Simon (Spain)

Young Player Award presented by Aramco

• Pau Cubarsi (Spain)

FIFA Fair Play Trophy presented by McDonald’s

• Netherlands

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By Kunle Solaja, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

History has a way of repeating itself in football. Thirty-six years after Diego Maradona wept as defending champions Argentina surrendered the FIFA World Cup title with a 1-0 defeat to West Germany in the Italia ’90 final in Rome, another Argentine icon, Lionel Messi, was left in tears after seeing his nation’s reign come to an end.

The 39-year-old captain was overcome with emotion following Argentina’s heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, as thousands of Argentine supporters responded not with despair but with a stirring tribute to their fallen champions.

Moments after receiving their runners-up medals from United States President Donald Trump, Messi and his Argentina teammates walked to the end of the pitch behind their goal, where thousands of Argentina supporters had remained inside MetLife Stadium to salute their heroes.

The sea of sky blue and white erupted into songs of encouragement, transforming post-match disappointment into an emotional celebration of a team that had fought its way to a second successive World Cup final.

Standing quietly alongside his teammates, Messi soaked in every moment as the chants echoed around the stadium. Unable to contain his emotions, the Argentine captain was seen with tears streaming down his face as he acknowledged the unwavering support of the faithful who had followed their team throughout the tournament.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez after losing the World Cup final, July 19. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

The poignant scene unfolded only minutes after Spain had ended Argentina’s reign as world champions with a 1-0 victory after extra time in Sunday’s enthralling final.

Although the trophy had slipped from Argentina’s grasp, their supporters made it abundantly clear that their admiration for Messi and his teammates remained undiminished, applauding the squad’s remarkable campaign and unwavering commitment.

For Messi, whose glittering international career includes lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, winning multiple Copa América titles and guiding Argentina to another World Cup final in 2026, the emotional farewell served as yet another testament to his enduring place among the greatest figures in Argentine football history.

As Spain celebrated a historic triumph, the lasting image of Argentina’s campaign was not one of defeat, but of a tearful Messi standing before a wall of grateful supporters, sharing a heartfelt farewell with fans whose songs continued to reverberate around MetLife Stadium long after the final whistle.

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By Kunle Solaja, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Emotions boiled over at the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday as a brief confrontation broke out between players following Spain’s dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium.

The flashpoint came moments after the referee ended the fiercely contested encounter that saw Spain crowned world champions for the second time.

As Spanish substitutes streamed onto the pitch to celebrate Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes shoved Spain’s Gavi to the ground, sparking a brief melee involving players from both teams.

The confrontation, however, was quickly brought under control, with Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni stepping in to calm his players and defuse the situation before it could escalate further.

The ill-tempered finish reflected the intensity of a final in which neither side was prepared to concede an inch over 120 fiercely contested minutes.

Argentina had already been reduced to 10 men after midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card during stoppage time of extra time for a reckless challenge, leaving the defending champions with an uphill task in the closing moments.

Spain eventually emerged victorious courtesy of substitute Ferran Torres, whose strike in the 106th minute proved decisive in separating two evenly matched sides.

The victory secured Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title and denied Argentina’s bid to become the first nation in more than six decades to retain the World Cup trophy.

Although tempers briefly flared after the final whistle, order was swiftly restored, allowing Spain’s players to continue their celebrations as they lifted football’s most coveted prize before a packed crowd at MetLife Stadium.

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