FIFA World Cup 2026 prizes: Lionel Messi misses out; Kylian Mbappe, Rodri, Cubarsi, Unai Simon take honours - full list
The Spain trio of Rodri, Pau Cubarsi and Unai Simon and Frenchman Kylian Mbappe swept away all the awards at the FIFA World Cup 2026, leaving no space for Lionel Messi. Spain defeated Argentina in the final to list the trophy.
Lionel Messi missed out on the Golden Ball award after the Argentine captain put on a pathetic show in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Spain on Monday in New Jersey. Instead the Golden Ball went to Spain midfielder Rodri. Messi also missed the Golden Boot, which went to France's Kylian Mbappe for the second consecutive time.
The Golden Ball is given to the tournament's Best Player, selected by a jury of journalists and experts. Messi was hoping to win a record-extending third Golden Ball, adding to his 2014 and 2022 honors. He’s already the only player to win the award multiple times since it was first given in 1978.
However, the Golden Ball went to Rodri, who led Spain to their second World Cup title after the Manchester City star was sidelined for eight months because of a knee surgery. The Golden Glove went to Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon while teammate Pau Cubarsí won the Best Young Player Award, beating out fellow 19-year-old teammate Lamine Yamal.
Why Rodri was given the Golden Ball?
Despite having no goals or assists, Rodri was critical in Spain's possession-heavy style of play and completed 753 passes - which is more than anyone - with 94% accuracy. He was involved in 1,803 plays, according to FIFA stats, nearly 200 more than anyone else in this World Cup.
Rodri became just the 11th man to win the World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or — the biggest individual award in football - which he won in 2024 when Spain won the European title. Messi was given the Silver Ball while France's Kylian Mbappe got the Bronze Ball.
Under the goalpost, Simón set a record with his seven shutouts in the tournament, allowing just one goal in eight games. Cubarsí, the Barcelona defender, helped anchor Spain's record-setting defensive effort and had the most completed passes in the final.
Kylian Mbappe topples Lionel Messi
Following his 10 goals against England, Mbappe gave Messi a mountain to climb. For Messi to go atop the Golden Boot standings, the Argentine needed to score a hattrick in the final. At the end, Messi ended up with eight goals and four assists. In 2022, Mbappe had pipped Messi by just a single goal for the Golden Boot award.
Both Messi and Mbappé had eight goals through the semifinals, but Messi owned the tiebreaker with one more assist. with this 10 goals, Mbappe became the first player after Germany great Gerd Muller in 1970 to score in double digits in a single edition of the World Cup.
Full list of FiFA World Cup 2026 awards
| Winner | Spain |
|---|---|
| Runners-up | Argentina |
| Golden Boot | Kylian Mbappe (France) |
| Golden Ball | Rodri (Spain) |
| Golden Glove | Unai Simon (Spain) |
| Best Young Player | Pau Cubarsi (Spain) |
| Fairplay Award | Netherlands |
Get all updates from FIFA World Cup 2026 here, along with FIFA World Cup 2026 Complete Schedule and FIFA World Cup 2026 Points Table.
About the Author
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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