Messi named World Cup 2026’s best player by IFFHS despite FIFA silver ball

Lionel Messi has been crowned the best player of the 2026 World Cup by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), just days after FIFA overlooked him for its top individual award at the tournament.

The IFFHS announcement comes in contrast to the official FIFA honours, which saw Spain captain Rodri receive the Golden Ball as player of the tournament following his side’s victory over Argentina in the World Cup final.

Messi, 39, had to settle for the Silver Ball from FIFA, while France forward Kylian Mbappe was given the Bronze Ball. But the IFFHS has now placed the Argentina captain at the summit of its own rankings, citing his decisive influence throughout the competition.

Statistical model puts Messi ahead

In its assessment, the IFFHS named Messi as the tournament’s standout performer based on a bespoke performance index, which combines match ratings, goals, assists and overall impact on games particularly during the knockout stages.

Messi played eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists, directly contributing to 12 goals in Argentina’s run to the final against eventual champions Spain.

According to the organisation, its methodology is designed to capture not only raw output but also how a player shapes the flow and outcome of matches across the entire tournament.

Diverging views: FIFA vs IFFHS

The differing verdicts highlight a clear contrast between the criteria used by FIFA and those applied by the IFFHS.

FIFA’s official World Cup awards are determined through formal voting processes that typically involve technical study groups and designated panels. These votes take into account performances but also rely on subjective evaluation by experts.

By contrast, the IFFHS system is anchored in an internal statistical index intended to quantify individual performance and tactical influence from game to game, independent of any ballot.

That difference in approach has produced two separate narratives from the same tournament: one in which Rodri is officially recognised by world football’s governing body as the best player at the World Cup, and another in which Messi’s individual brilliance earns him top billing in the IFFHS ranking.

Recognition despite final defeat

Although Argentina fell short in the 2026 final against Spain, the IFFHS award underscores the scale of Messi’s contribution at what could be his last World Cup.

The veteran forward, long regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, led his country back to the showpiece match four years after winning the 2022 title in Qatar.

While FIFA’s decision left him with the tournament’s second-tier individual prize, the IFFHS accolade offers an alternative form of recognition, underlining that, by at least one influential statistical measure, Messi was the outstanding performer of the 2026 World Cup.