IFFHS Names Lionel Messi Best Player of 2026 World Cup Despite Silver Ball Award
Although Lionel Messi received the Silver Ball at the 2026 World Cup after Spain defeated Argentina in the final, another organization recognized him as the tournament's standout performer.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) declared Messi the best player of the competition, highlighting his significant role in leading Argentina to the final.
This decision was based on a performance index that considers match ratings, goals, assists, and overall influence throughout the tournament, especially during the knockout stages.
At 39 years old, Messi played all eight matches for Argentina, scoring eight goals and assisting four times, totaling 12 goal contributions.
The announcement came shortly after FIFA awarded the official Golden Ball to Spain's captain Rodri, who claimed the Silver Ball over Messi, while French forward Kylian Mbappé took the Bronze.
The difference in awards reflects varied criteria: FIFA's selections come from official voting, whereas the IFFHS ranking relies on a statistical evaluation of individual performances and technical impact across the event.
