Rodri has denied Lionel Messi a second successive Golden Ball, after Spain beat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup Final.
The Golden Ball is often used as a predictor for the Ballon D’or, having gone to Messi and Luka Modric in the last two tournaments.
Messi was expected to receive the award, having bagged eight goals for Argentina, but the Spanish midfielder, and 2025 Ballon D’or winner, has claimed it.
Rodri denies Lionel Messi and claims Golden Ball, after Spain prevail 1-0 against Argentina in the World Cup Final
Messi will instead receive the Silver Ball, to sit at home next to his two previous Golden Ball wins, in 2022 and 2014.
Kylian Mbappe received the Bronze Ball, bagging 10 tournament goals en-route to becoming the highest ever World Cup goalscorer.
Pau Cubarsi, who was the victim of a ridiculous Enzo Fernandez tackle that earned the Argentinian a second yellow card, will take home Young Player of the Tournament.
Unai Simon, who conceded one goal all tournament, the least ever en-route to a World Cup victory by any nation, was awarded the Golden Glove.
Argentina and Messi put up a defensive fight, but were clearly the inferior side in every moment of the game.
They failed to register even a single shot in the 90, played the entirety of extra-time with 10 men, then fell to a Ferran Torres dagger.
That came in the 106th minute, which led to Argentinian pressure for the remainder of the match, including many previously elusive shot attempts, that continuously fell short.
Spain won the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when Uruguayan Diego Forlan was the Golden Ball winner.