Spain's Rodri beats Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé as FIFA names World Cup's best player

Rodri was named the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball victor aft inspiring Spain to a 1-0 extra-time triumph implicit Argentina successful the final. The Manchester City midfielder dominated the midfield battle, helping neutralise Lionel Messi and power the game's tempo. His accordant performances passim the tourney earned FIFA's apical idiosyncratic honour up of Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.