Rodri’s Golden Ball win sparks debate
Rodri, the midfielder for Spain, has been awarded the World Cup Golden Ball, recognising him as the best player of the tournament. This honour follows Spain’s victory in the World Cup 2026, their first men’s triumph since 2010. Rodri’s selection has generated discussion, particularly given the strong performances of other prominent players.
The Manchester City player captained his national side to their second World Cup title. He was also named the Player of the Tournament in Spain’s victorious European Championship campaign two years prior, an achievement that led to his first Ballon d’Or award in 2024. Rodri is now among a select group of players to have won the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Ballon d’Or.
Despite his influential role in Spain’s success, some analyses suggest that other players had more statistically dominant tournaments. According to one power ranking system, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham were ranked as the top three performers of the 2026 World Cup. Rodri, in contrast, was ranked lower on this list, and was also noted as being among the top Spanish players in the tournament according to his overall rating.
Rodri’s involvement on the ball was significant, as he topped the charts for touches. In offensive play, he was among the top players for final third passes and chances created. Defensively, he led the tournament in tackles and was highly ranked for possessions won in both attacking and middle thirds of the pitch. His leadership was also highlighted as a crucial factor for the young Spanish team.
However, when considering 43 key statistics, Rodri finished in the top 10 for 13 of them, which was more than Bellingham but fewer than Messi and Mbappe, who each had 18 top 10 finishes. Messi also had a notable individual performance in Argentina‘s opening match against Algeria, scoring a hat-trick.
Other individual accolades
Spain also saw two other players receive individual awards. Defender Pau Cubarsi was named the Young Player of the Tournament. The player played a key role in a Spanish defence that conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament. Cubarsi demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, leading players aged 21 or under in passes, clearances, and possessions won across all thirds of the pitch. He also ranked highly in final third passes, which is notable for a defender.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon received the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper. Simon kept seven clean sheets in eight games, a testament to Spain’s strong defensive performance. He was preferred over Arsenal‘s David Raya by coach Luis de la Fuente. Simon’s performance included 11 sweeper regains, and his final passing accuracy was among the best for goalkeepers.
The World Cup Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer, went to France’s Kylian Mbappe. Messi and Mbappe also received the Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards, respectively, placing them second and third in the Golden Ball standings.
Rodri’s journey to this World Cup success followed a period of injury-disrupted seasons with Manchester City, including an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2024 and subsequent hamstring and groin issues in 2025-26. Despite these setbacks, he played in all eight of Spain’s matches in the tournament, helping his nation secure their first World Cup since 2010.
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Source: skysports.com
