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Rodri 'Didn't Expect This' After Beating Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to Golden Ball
FIFA’s Technical Study Group said the Manchester City midfielder’s 694 passes and 94% accuracy defined Spain’s unbeaten run.
- On Monday, July 20, 2026, midfielder Rodri won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final.
- Rodri provided the foundation for Spain's unbeaten campaign, completing 694 passes with 94 per cent accuracy across eight matches while the team conceded just one goal.
- FIFA's Technical Study Group judged Rodri's influence superior to Lionel Messi, who finished with eight goals and four assists, as Rodri won 80 per cent of his duels in the final.
- "It feels like the perfect script. I certainly didn't expect this," Rodri said after receiving the award, joining legends like Zinedine Zidane who won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or.
- Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe secured the Golden Boot with 10 goals, while Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon and defender Pau Cubarsi earned the Golden Glove and FIFA Best Young Player awards, respectively.
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18 Articles
18 Articles
Why Rodri deserved the Golden Ball over Messi after the World Cup final settled the only debate that mattered
Rodri's control, passing and defensive authority powered Spain to the title, while Messi vanished in the final, making the Golden Ball decision fully justified.
·New Delhi, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 17%
C 50%
R 33%
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