Rodri was crowned as the best player of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after winning the Golden Ball award on Sunday.
The Manchester City midfielder was integral to Spain’s victorious campaign as they beat Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey.
Lionel Messi finished second best to the Spaniard, picking up the Silver Ball award, while France’s Kylian Mbappe was given the Bronze Ball.
Mbappé did, though, win the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top goal scorer. The Real Madrid striker scored ten goals in eight games, two ahead of nearest challenger Lionel Messi. He is now on 22 career goals at the World Cup, the most of any player in the competition’s history. Jude Bellingham finished third in the scoring charts on seven goals, the most ever scored by an Englishman in a single campaign.
Mbappé fires his way to the adidas Golden Boot 🔥@adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/B7czVjLCCU
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 20, 2026
Unai Simon picked up the Golden Gloves after keeping a record seven clean sheets and conceding just one goal, the fewest ever allowed by a goalkeeper at a World Cup.
Barcelona starlet Pau Cubarsi was named the best young player of the tournament. The 19-year-old was outstanding for La Roja and still has many great years ahead of him.
Netherlands were given the FIFA Fair Play Trophy, which recognises the squad with the most exemplary on-field behavior and the best overall disciplinary record.
Read – The best World Cup records broken in the knockout stage
Rodri, Mbappe and every award winner from FIFA World Cup 2026:
Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain)
Silver Ball: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Bronze Ball: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Silver Boot: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Bronze Boot: Jude Bellingham (England)
Golden Glove: Unai Simon (Spain)
FIFA Young Player Award: Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Netherlands
Read – Every champion in FIFA World Cup history
See Also – Five weird and wonderful World Cup final stories