Mario Kempes wins first Golden Ball
Mario Kempes won the first adidas Golden Ball at Argentina 1978 after leading the hosts to their first World Cup title. The striker scored six goals, finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer and best player.
Kempes scored twice in Argentina’s 3-1 final victory over the Netherlands after extra time in Buenos Aires. His goals in the championship match completed a tournament that established him as Argentina’s central attacking figure.
Paolo Rossi leads Italy in 1982
Paolo Rossi earned the 1982 Golden Ball as Italy won the World Cup in Spain. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, including a hat trick against Brazil in Barcelona.
Rossi scored twice against Poland in the semifinal and opened the scoring in Italy’s 3-1 final victory over West Germany. His late scoring run carried Italy through every knockout round to the title.
Diego Maradona dominates Mexico 1986
Diego Maradona won the 1986 Golden Ball after leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Mexico. He scored five goals and created several more during one of the tournament’s most influential individual campaigns.
Maradona scored twice against England in the quarterfinal and twice against Belgium in the semifinal. In the final, his pass created Jorge Burruchaga’s winner as Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 in Mexico City.
Salvatore Schillaci owns Italy 1990
Salvatore Schillaci won both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the 1990 World Cup. He began as a reserve, then scored six goals as the hosts reached the semifinals and finished third on home soil.
Schillaci scored in the Round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and third-place match. His sixth tournament goal came from a penalty against England, securing the scoring title and completing his breakthrough tournament.
Romario guides Brazil in 1994
Romario won the 1994 Golden Ball after helping Brazil secure its fourth World Cup title in the United States. The forward scored five goals while Brazil advanced through a tightly contested knockout stage.
Brazil defeated Italy on penalties after a scoreless final at the Rose Bowl. Romario converted Brazil’s second shootout attempt, completing a tournament that confirmed his central role in the championship run.
Ronaldo takes Golden Ball in 1998
Ronaldo won the 1998 Golden Ball after scoring four goals and adding three assists for Brazil in France. His performances helped the defending champions reach another World Cup final four years after their previous title.
Brazil lost the final 3-0 to the host nation, France, with Zinedine Zidane scoring twice. Ronaldo still received the Golden Ball after producing seven direct goal contributions during Brazil’s run to the championship match.
Oliver Kahn makes goalkeeper history
Oliver Kahn became the first goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball at the 2002 World Cup. Germany’s captain kept five clean sheets across seven matches and conceded only three goals during the tournament.
Kahn helped Germany reach the final after conceding only one goal before the championship match. Brazil then won 2-0 in Yokohama, where Ronaldo scored both goals to secure the World Cup title.
Zinedine Zidane earns 2006 award
Zinedine Zidane won the 2006 Golden Ball after guiding France to the World Cup final in Germany. The midfielder scored three goals during the tournament, including a penalty against Italy in Berlin.
France and Italy finished 1-1 after extra time before Italy won the shootout 5-3. Zidane received the Golden Ball for his tournament performances even though France finished as runners-up in Berlin.
Diego Forlan lifts Uruguay in 2010
Diego Forlan won the 2010 Golden Ball after leading Uruguay to its first World Cup semifinal in 40 years. He scored five goals and provided one assist as Uruguay finished fourth in South Africa.
Forlan scored three goals from outside the penalty area, while his volley against Germany was voted goal of the tournament. He became only the second Golden Ball winner whose team missed the final.
Lionel Messi wins first Golden Ball
Lionel Messi won his first World Cup Golden Ball at Brazil 2014 after Argentina reached the final. He scored four goals, all during the group stage, and helped his country reach the championship match.
Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at the Maracana. Messi still received the Golden Ball, beginning a unique World Cup awards record that he extended eight years later.
Fun fact: In 2010, four players scored five World Cup goals, but Thomas Müller won the Golden Boot because his three assists broke the tie.
Luka Modric leads Croatia in 2018
Luka Modric won the 2018 Golden Ball after captaining Croatia to its first World Cup final. He scored twice during the group stage and played all seven matches as Croatia reached the championship match.
Croatia beat Denmark and Russia on penalties, then defeated England after extra time in the semifinal. France won the final 4-2, but Modric still received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Lionel Messi makes history in 2022
Lionel Messi became the first two-time men’s World Cup Golden Ball winner at Qatar 2022. He scored seven goals, recorded three assists, and captained Argentina to its first World Cup title since 1986.
Messi scored twice in the final as Argentina drew France 3-3 before winning the shootout 4-2. He also converted Argentina’s first penalty, completing a tournament that brought team and individual honors.
Lionel Messi announces Argentina retirement after 21 years, closing an international career that reshaped the national team’s modern era.
Rodri becomes latest winner in 2026
Rodri won the 2026 Golden Ball after Spain claimed its second World Cup title. The midfielder played in all eight matches and helped Spain concede only one goal across the expanded tournament.
In the final against Argentina, Rodri completed 101 of 105 passes, won 80% of his duels, and created two chances. Spain won 1-0 after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium.
“FIFA deserves a leader, not a dealer,” Times Square billboard declares, reflecting broader scrutiny of Gianni Infantino’s leadership and the growing pressure surrounding FIFA’s governance and global influence.
Which World Cup Golden Ball winner had the most memorable tournament: Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, or someone else? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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