Messi can still beat Mbappé to the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball

Kylian Mbappé ended his tournament with ten goals, while Lionel Messi will enter the final against Spain with eight.

The difference puts the French forward in a privileged position to win the Golden Boot, but the award for the tournament’s leading scorer should not be confused with the Golden Ball, which recognizes the best player throughout the entire competition.

Messi is looking to repeat a historic achievement

The Argentine captain previously won the World Cup Golden Ball at Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022. Another victory would make him the first player to receive the award three times.

It would also be a special achievement for Concacaf, as Messi currently plays for Inter Miami. Should he win the award, he would break the long-standing trend of winners playing for European clubs and become the first to claim it while representing a team from the region.

What does Messi need to win the Golden Ball?

Surpassing Mbappé’s ten goals would undoubtedly strengthen his candidacy, but it is not an essential requirement.

Messi could still win the Golden Ball without finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer if he once again proves decisive and leads Argentina to the title.

Mbappé has already made his final case. Messi still has one last opportunity to respond in the most important match of the World Cup.