Spain Captures 2026 FIFA World Cup Title with Extra Time Victory Over Argentina
Spain were crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this Sunday (19) after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in New Jersey (USA).
Before Rodri & Co. lifted the coveted trophy for the second time in the country’s history (2010 and 2026), FIFA announced the individual awards.
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Kylian Mbappé endured a fourth-place finish with France, but took home the “Golden Boot” award after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals.
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But overall, the Spaniards completely dominated the individual awards as well.
The best young player was Barcelona center-back Pau Cubarsí, just 19 years old.
The best goalkeeper of the World Cup was 29-year-old Unai Simón, who plays for Athletic Bilbao and conceded just ONE GOAL in eight matches (against Belgium, in the 2-1 win in the quarterfinals).
Finally, Rodri — the 30-year-old Manchester City midfielder — was named the best player of the 2026 World Cup.
In this scenario, with the World Cup traditionally carrying more “weight” in the end-of-year voting for “Best in the World,” who has the edge in this race?
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Besides Rodri (best player of the World Cup) and Kylian Mbappé (top scorer of the World Cup), Lamine Yamal (Spain’s great gem and current standout) and Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the final at age 39, are some of the “contenders.”
England’s Harry Kane is also in the race after being the top scorer in world football in the 2025/26 season, with 73 goals for Bayern Munich and the England national team combined (third place at the World Cup).
Rodri (FIFA Ballon d’Or winner in 2024) and Messi (EIGHT-TIME FIFA Ballon d’Or winner — 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023) were the only ones who have already had a “taste” of being named “Best in the World.”
So, leave in the comments who you think should be named the best player in the world in 2026!
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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.