World Cup 2026: Messi, Yamal, Bellingham, and Olise among Golden Ball contenders

By Rohan Gupta — 14 July 2026 — 3 min read

Golden Ball race heats up

As the World Cup 2026 progresses into its final stages, attention is turning to the individual awards, particularly the Golden Ball, which recognises the tournament’s most outstanding player. The award, introduced at the 1978 World Cup, is decided by a vote from accredited media, based on a shortlist from FIFA’s Technical Study Group. Notably, voting typically concludes before the final match, meaning a player from the losing side can still receive the honour.

Historically, Lionel Messi is the only player to have won the Golden Ball twice, achieving this in 2014 and 2022. Oliver Kahn remains the sole goalkeeper to have received the award, which he did in 2002. The current tournament features several strong contenders, making for a competitive race.

Key contenders for the Golden Ball

Among the players making a significant impact is Michael Olise of France. Despite not having scored yet, his role as a conductor behind the front-three, providing defence-splitting passes and vision, has been crucial for his team. He leads the tournament in assists with five.

Lamine Yamal from Spain is another promising candidate. Having recently turned 19, the left-footed right-winger has been instrumental in creating threats for opponents. His performance against Belgium in the quarter-finals, shortly after returning from an injury, highlighted his importance to Spain. His duel with France’s Lucas Digne in the semi-final is anticipated to be a key factor.

Lionel Messi of Argentina, a two-time recipient of the award, continues to be a strong contender. His influence in matches and ability to both score and set up goals for teammates like Julian Alvarez have been notable. He has also earned two Man of the Match awards in this tournament.

For England, Jude Bellingham has been a standout performer. Playing as a second striker alongside Harry Kane, his two braces against Mexico and Norway were vital in securing England’s place in the semi-finals. Bellingham has also received two Man of the Match awards, contributing crucial goals while also supporting defensively.

Golden Boot race also intense

The Golden Boot race for the tournament’s top scorer is also highly competitive, featuring several prominent forwards. Lionel Messi currently leads with eight goals. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are close behind with seven goals each, while Harry Kane has six goals.

The criteria for the Golden Boot are first based on the number of goals scored. If players are tied on goals, the award is decided by the number of assists, and then by the fewest minutes played. Kylian Mbappe, the current holder, has two assists, while Harry Kane and Lionel Messi each have one. Erling Haaland is noted for his efficiency, with a high shot conversion rate.

This year’s scoring rate is particularly high, with four players pushing towards double-figure goal tallies, a feat rarely seen in the tournament’s history. Only eight players before this tournament had scored eight or more goals in a single World Cup, a list that Messi has now joined. The intense competition for both individual awards adds to the overall spectacle of the tournament.

The competition for both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards remains intense as the tournament approaches its conclusion.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter