Spain completed a clean sweep of the major individual honours after edging Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, to secure their second men’s world title.
Midfield maestro Rodri was named the tournament’s Best Player, claiming the Golden Ball, while goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove after an outstanding campaign.
Teenage defender Pau Cubarsí was recognised as the Best Young Player, finishing ahead of fellow Spain star Lamine Yamal.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who was aiming to become the first player to win the Golden Ball three times, fell short despite inspiring his side to a second consecutive World Cup final at the age of 39.
Having previously won the award twice since its introduction in 1978, Messi settled for the Silver Ball, with France forward Kylian Mbappé taking the Bronze Ball.
Reflecting on his achievement, Rodri admitted the honour exceeded his expectations.
“It feels like the perfect script. I certainly didn’t expect this,” he said. “This group is incredible. We are two-time world champions. It’s a tough feat, the hardest one to achieve. And we won it against a team like Argentina.”
The award adds another milestone to Rodri’s remarkable comeback after suffering a ruptured right ACL nearly two years ago.
Already a Ballon d’Or winner in 2024, the Manchester City midfielder has now completed an impressive collection of football’s biggest individual and team honours.
“I’m proud and I would love for new generations to see that it is possible,” Rodri added. “That a player who touches the sky and then plummets to hell is also capable of rising again. It is an example of overcoming adversity, and you have to believe. Honestly, it’s incredible.”
Although he did not score during the tournament, Rodri’s influence in midfield through his passing, composure and control was instrumental to Spain’s success.
He also became only the 11th player to win the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Ballon d’Or.
Simón also etched his name into the record books after keeping seven clean sheets in eight matches, conceding just once throughout the tournament.
“The stats highlight the defensive work of the entire team. If you want to win a World Cup, you have to be consistent. We achieved this together,” Simón said.
“We played against Cristiano’s Portugal, Mbappé’s France, and now Messi’s Argentina, facing players who can wreak havoc at any moment. We managed to keep our cool and control our emotions, and that was crucial.”
Meanwhile, Mbappé finished as the tournament’s top scorer to claim the Golden Boot after recording 10 goals and four assists, despite France ending their campaign in fourth place.
Messi concluded the competition with eight goals and four assists, failing to register either a goal or an assist in the final for the first time in his last 12 World Cup appearances.
