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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
James Cormack

2026 World Cup: The Favorites to Win the Golden Ball—Ranked

World Cup Lionel Messi Kylian Mbappé Ousmane Dembélé Harry Kane Harry Kane Kane Raphinha Raphinha EPL Lamine Yamal Soccer

While soccer’s most lucrative honors tend to be awarded to the most dominant attacking performer of the league/competition/tournament’s victor, FIFA’s voters have historically done things a little differently.

The Golden Ball award has been handed out to the best player at every World Cup since 1982. Since then, only four victors have simultaneously been crowned world champion.

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