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 |
Related Pages
- FIFA World Cup awards, including the golden glove award
- Euros Player of the Tournament List
- World Cup Winning countries
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