IFFHS Names Lionel Messi Best Player of 2026 World Cup Despite Silver Ball Finish

Lionel Messi, though awarded the Silver Ball by FIFA after Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, received top individual honors from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

The IFFHS crowned Messi the tournament's best player based on their performance index. This index combines match ratings, goals, assists, and overall influence throughout the competition, with special focus on knockout stage performances.

At 39 years old, Messi participated in eight matches during the World Cup, scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists, totaling 12 direct goal contributions. This level of impact helped lead Argentina all the way to the final.

This recognition came shortly after FIFA awarded the official Golden Ball to Spain's captain Rodri, leaving Messi with the Silver Ball and France's Kylian Mbappé with the Bronze. The difference lies in how winners are selected: FIFA relies on voting, while IFFHS uses a detailed statistical method that reflects technical performance and output throughout the tournament.