10 June 2026
World Cup Golden Ball winners: best player at every tournament
The Golden Ball is awarded to the standout player of each World Cup. Here are the winners going back to 1986.
| Year | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2018 | Luka Modrić | Croatia |
| 2014 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2010 | Diego Forlán | Uruguay |
| 2006 | Zinedine Zidane | France |
| 2002 | Oliver Kahn | Germany |
| 1998 | Ronaldo | Brazil |
| 1994 | Romário | Brazil |
| 1990 | Salvatore Schillaci | Italy |
| 1986 | Diego Maradona | Argentina |
Messi is the only two-time winner — and the only player to win it at two different tournaments either side of a decade.
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