FIFA World Cup Golden Ball Winners List (1978-2026): Rodri Joins Football Legends

Spain managed to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 as well as another significant award won by Rodri, who was named the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner for being the best player of the tournament. Rodri beat Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who scored 8 goals and assisted four times, to win the Gold. Rodri’s win places him in the company of some of the greatest names in the game, like Maradona, Ronaldo, Zidane, and Messi himself. Find out everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball and its list of winners.

What Does FIFA World Cup Golden Ball Mean?

The FIFA Golden Ball is presented to the most outstanding player of the FIFA World Cup. The award started being given during the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina. The player to be awarded is someone with extraordinary performance in the game.

Differing from Golden Boot winner where performance is defined only by the number of goals, in awarding Best player, a player’s overall contribution is taken into account.

The football player is chosen based on the voting done by accredited journalists while the nominations are being approved by FIFA’s Technical Study Group.

Rodri Claims the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball 2026

Rodri was the lifeblood of the Spanish squad in the course of the tournament, conducting the game in the middle of the pitch and supplying the key element for the Spanish successes in the number of matches.

Spain only allowed one goal in eight matches, achieving the record of most successful team in FIFA World Cups for the least number of goals allowed. Rodri’s ability to keep cool, make accurate passes and take decisions was a factor of this success.

Despite Lionel Messi having a great tournament in Argentina, it is Rodri’s consistency from match to match that finally brought him the Golden Ball.

Complete FIFA World Cup Golden Ball Winners List (1978–2026)

Year	Golden Ball Winner	Country
1978	Mario Kempes	Argentina
1982	Paolo Rossi	Italy
1986	Diego Maradona	Argentina
1990	Salvatore Schillaci	Italy
1994	Romario	Brazil
1998	Ronaldo	Brazil
2002	Oliver Kahn	Germany
2006	Zinedine Zidane	France
2010	Diego Forlan	Uruguay
2014	Lionel Messi	Argentina
2018	Luka Modric	Croatia
2022	Lionel Messi	Argentina
2026	RoLionel Messidri	Spain

Lionel Messi One of the Most Acclaimed Players.

Rodri was awarded this year’s title, but Lionel Messi still occupies an important spot in the history of the World Cup.

In 2014 and 2022, Messi became the first footballer to win Golden Ball more than once.

Though he missed the chance of winning the award for the third time after taking Argentina to another World Cup final in 2026.

Throughout the tournament, Messi scored eight goals and assisted four with Argentina finishing as runners-up.

His exploits once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the best football players of all time.

Milestones in the History of FIFA World Cup Golden Ball

Golden Ball has a host of memorable records over time.

Oliver Kahn’s Groundbreaking Achievement

Oliver Kahn made history by becoming the only goalkeeper to capture FIFA World Cup Golden Ball title. He achieved this feat after helping Germany reach the World Cup finals in 2002 in a string of extraordinary performances

Players Who Captured Golden Ball and the World Cup

There are hardly any footballers who were able to win the Golden Ball and the World Cup in the same tournament,

• Mario Kempes (1978)
• Paolo Rossi (1982)
• Diego Maradona (1986)
• Romario (1994)
• Lionel Messi (2022)
• Rodri (2026)

Their individual talent brought ultimate success for the team.