New York: Spain midfielder Rodri was named the FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament, winning the Golden Ball after leading La Roja to a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres scored the match’s only goal, securing Spain’s second World Cup title and adding to their status as reigning European champions.
The 30-year-old Rodri started all eight of Spain’s matches and finished the tournament as the engine of their midfield, completing more passes, covering more ground and recording more player involvements than any other participant. In the final he completed 101 of 105 passes, won 80 percent of his duels and created two chances. His defensive support and precise distribution were key factors in Spain conceding just one goal across the tournament.
Rodri also joined an elite list of players to have won the World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, having claimed football’s top individual honour in 2024 and the European Championship Golden Ball in 2024.
Spain’s Pau Cubarsi took the Young Player award, while goalkeeper Unai Simón earned the Golden Glove after keeping seven clean sheets.
Meanwhile, France captain Kylian Mbappé clinched the Golden Boot, becoming the first player in World Cup history to win the tournament’s top scorer award twice. The 27-year-old finished with ten goals after a brace in France’s thrilling 6-4 victory over England in the third-place match in Miami. Mbappé previously won the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022 with eight goals.
Mbappé’s double-figure tally makes him the first player to reach ten World Cup goals in a single edition since Gerd Müller in 1970. He also became the leading scorer in France’s history during the tournament and now sits atop the all-time World Cup scoring list. Lionel Messi finished second in the scoring charts with eight goals, while England’s Jude Bellingham had seven.
Spain’s Rodri adds his Golden Ball to a prestigious roll call of past winners, which includes Diego Maradona (1986), Zinedine Zidane (2006) and Lionel Messi (2014, 2022).
(Inputs from IANS)