The Golden Ball winner of World Cup 2022 is Lionel Messi, following a stunning tournament with Argentina
(Image credit: Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi has won the Golden Ball at World Cup 2022.
The Argentina captain becomes the first player ever to have won the award twice, having been given the gong in 2014 when he finished as a runner-up in Brazil to Germany in the final, at the Maracana.
Messi is also the first player to both win the final and the Golden Ball since Romario in 1994. Often, the trophy is seen as a consolation prize for the best player on the losing side of the showpiece, with the historic list of winners including the likes of Luka Modric, Oliver Kahn and Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring for Argentina against France in the World Cup 2022 final (Image credit: Getty Images)
Messi winning the Golden Ball capped off a stunning tournament in which he was just pipped to the Golden Boot by the opposite No.10 in the final.
Emiliano Martinez of Argentina was given the Golden Glove award. The Aston Villa keeper made a cheeky gesture with the award, which was picked up by cameras. Martinez made one save in the penalty shootout, with the other missed penalty from Aurelian Tchouameni skewing wide.
Enzo Fernandez of Benfica, just 21 years old, won the Young Player of the World Cup award for his performances with the victorious Albiceleste.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
