History-Making Lionel Messi Wins Second FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi, who became the first player to win the second FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, took home the Golden Ball and made tournament history. Messi was once more crowned the game’s best player in 2014, the year the Albiceleste finished second to Germany.
Lionel Messi wins the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball 2022
The FIFA World Cup Golden Ball is given to the player who has the best performance during the competition, and there was little doubt about who would win after scoring 7 goals and assisting on another 3 in Qatar in 2022. Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi, who became the first player to win it twice, took home the Golden Ball and made tournament history. Messi was awarded the game’s best player again in 2014, the year the Albiceleste fell to Germany in the World Cup final.
However, on Sunday night, the Blue and White Machine of Argentina proved to be invincible as they defeated the reigning champions France thanks to goals from Messi and Angel Di Maria in the first half. The 90 minutes seemed to decide the game, but Kylian Mbappe, France’s national hero, scored twice to force overtime.
Mbappe became the second player in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, forcing penalties despite another goal from Messi for Argentina. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez showed the maturity to make a pivotal save that ultimately assisted Argentina in winning.
36 years after the legendary Diego Maradona had led them to their second World Cup victory, Argentina rallied after a surprise loss to Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opening match to win their third World Cup trophy.
Winners Of The Golden Ball
2022 Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2018 Luka Modric (Croatia)
2014 Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2010 Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
2006 Zinedine Zidane (France)
2002 Oliver Kahn (Germany)
1998 Ronaldo (Brazil)
1994 Romario (Brazil)
1990 Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
1986 Diego Maradona (Argentina)
1982 Paolo Rossi (Italy)