The World Cup Golden Ball award is given to the best player of the tournament. In Qatar 2022, there are several contenders for the honor, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. However, recent World Cups show that the award hasn’t gone to a world champion.
In Sunday’s final, the winner will be hoping to break the drought that has been ongoing since France 1998.
France 1998 World Cup – Ronaldo
Despite losing 3-0 in the final against France, Brazil‘s Ronaldo was voted the best player of the tournament. He scored an impressive eight goals in seven games, second only to Just Fontaine and Gerd Muller as the top scorers in a single World Cup.
South Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup – Oliver Khan
The 2002 award generated controversy. Oliver Khan was the winner thanks to his decisive saves throughout the tournament. However, it was Ronaldo who impressed in the final, scoring a brace with one of the goals coming after a mistake by the German. Even so, the then-Bayern Munich player further enhanced his reputation.
Germany 2006 World Cup – Zinedine Zidane
For the third time in a row, the World Cup Golden Ball went to a runner-up. Zidane won the award after a great tournament, although it ended in the most cruel way for him. His World Cup will be remembered for the headbutt on Marco Materazzi, which led to his sending off and his farewell to the tournament.
2010 South Africa World Cup – Diego Forlan
In 2010, the champion wasn’t awarded the Golden Ball either. On that occasion, the award went to Diego Forlan, who finished fourth with Uruguay. His five goals were decisive for the South American side, who came close to reaching the final and winning their third title.
Brazil 2014 World Cup – Lionel Messi
To date, it is perhaps the most painful defeat of Lionel Messi‘s career. While dreaming of the World Cup, Gotze and Germany finished with top honors. There was some consolation for Messi as he was named MVP of the tournament, something that many people didn’t understand at the time, as they felt it should have gone to a German player.
Russia 2018 World Cup – Luka Modric
Despite Mbappe, Pogba and Griezmann having an outstanding World Cup, the Russia 2018 Golden Ball went to Luka Modric. The Croatian was decisive for his national team on their journey to the final, something was unthinkable for many prior to the tournament. Modric crowned a dream year with both national team and club.
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