IFFHS Names Lionel Messi Best Player of 2026 World Cup Despite Silver Ball Finish

Although Lionel Messi received the Silver Ball in FIFA's official awards following Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, another organization honored him as the tournament's best player.

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) awarded Messi the title of best player of the competition. Their decision was based on an advanced performance index that considers match ratings, goals, assists, and overall influence, particularly during knockout matches.

At 39 years old, Messi appeared in eight matches throughout the tournament. He scored eight goals and assisted four times, totaling 12 goal contributions. This statistical achievement highlighted his significant role in driving Argentina to the final.

This recognition from the IFFHS contrasts with FIFA's official awards, where Spain's captain Rodri received the Golden Ball, Messi took the Silver, and French forward Kylian Mbappé claimed the Bronze. The difference lies in methodology: FIFA’s awards come from a voting system, while IFFHS relies purely on statistical analysis of individual performance and technical impact across all games.