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World Cup Best Players (Golden Ball)

The 'Golden Ball Award' is presented to the outstanding player at each FIFA World Cup finals.

The winner is selected from a shortlist drawn up by the FIFA technical committee, as voted by representatives of the media.

The winner has come from Brazil 7 times. Only one player has won the award twice, Lionel Messi in 2014 and 2022.

Year Golden Ball Winner Country
2022 Lionel Messi Argentina
2018 Luka Modric Croatia
2014 Lionel Messi Argentina
2010 Diego Forlán Uruguay
2006 Zinedine Zidane France
2002 Oliver Kahn Germany
1998 Ronaldo Brazil
1994 Romário (Romário de Souza Faria) Brazil
1990 Salvatore Schillaci Italy
1986 Diego Maradona Argentina
1982 Paolo Rossi Italy
1978 Mario Kempes Argentina
1974 Johan Cruyff Netherlands
1970 Pelé Brazil
1966 Bobby Charlton England
1962 Garrincha Brazil
1958 Didi Brazil
1954 Ferenc Puskás Hungary
1950 Zizinho Brazil
1938 Leônidas Brazil
1934 Giuseppe Meazza Italy
1930 José Nasazzi Uruguay


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