Six of the last seven Golden Ball winners were not on the winning team
Lionel Messi has been named best player at the last two tournaments and is the only player to win the award twice
Salvatore Schillaci in 1990 was the last player to win both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball
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The 2026 World Cup has been dominated by star names, with Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland storming to the top of the scoring charts.
While the early rounds have set the stage for the Golden Boot race, the focus on the Golden Ball, handed to the player of the tournament, steps up now the field has been whittled down to 16.
Mbappe is the man to beat in the betting, as he is 7/4 with LiveScore Bet to be named as the tournament’s best player for the first time.
Messi aiming for hat-trick of awards
Messi became the first player to win the Golden Ball twice as Argentina lifted the World Cup four years ago. That victory also broke a streak of six consecutive tournaments where the Golden Ball winner did not come from the winning nation.
Messi was named best player in 2014 as his Argentina side lost to Germany in Brazil. The Inter Miami man is set to depart this tournament as the World Cup’s record goalscorer, and his sixth tournament appearance is expected to be his last.
Mbappe is leading a star-studded French side, but Michael Olise is third in the betting after his impressive exploits so far. The top-heavy nature of the France team could count against Mbappe, even if his side went all the way.
Messi’s co-stars are not finding it as easy to steal the limelight. He is still the main attraction for many US fans at 39-years-old, and the draw has broken kindly for Argentina.
Given the track record of this award going to a runner-up, another run to the final could seal a hat trick of awards for Messi.
Back Lionel Messi to win the Golden Ball at 3/1 with LiveScore Bet
Colombia’s star man could scoop the top award
This tournament feels like a passing of the torch moment for Colombia. They have continued to focus their side around the waning talents of James Rodriguez, even though he is currently without a club.
However, Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz looks to be taking over the mantle for Colombia. He is coming off his best club season, and he has helped them to top their group on their way to the last 16.
It is worth remembering that teams are only halfway through their campaigns, despite how much football we have seen in recent weeks. The final four games will carry more weight than the first four, and Diaz has the chance to make his mark in the next couple of weeks.
Colombia beat both Argentina and Brazil in qualifying, and a repeat of that feat could take them all the way to the final. Should they get that far, a Colombian player should claim the top award.
Rodriguez was named player of the tournament at the 2024 Copa America. However, Diaz’s rise has made him their standout name, and he could be in line for the top award if Colombia continue their impressive run.
Back Luis Diaz to win the Golden Ball at 33/1 with LiveScore Bet
