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‘Not deserving at all’ – Fans left fuming after Rodri wins World Cup Golden Ball ahead of Lionel Messi

Photo by Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images
Photo by Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images
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Rodri has been awarded the most illustrious FIFA World Cup award for leading Spain.

For the second time in their history, Spain have been crowned the FIFA World Cup champions after beating Argentina 1-0 in the finals.

Being the captain and a key member of the squad, Rodri took home the World Cup Golden Ball award following a successful campaign.

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts after the 0-1 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Lionel Messi’s World Cup Golden Ball snub in favor of Rodri made fans angry

Despite not recording even a single goal or assist in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Rodri’s presence in midfield earned him the honor.

However, this didn’t sit well with many fans as they believed Lionel Messi deserved to win the record-breaking third Golden Ball of his soccer career.

“Not deserving at all, man,” a fan wrote. While another added, “Rodri wasn’t even a contender, FIFA is losing its credibility.”

“Rodri did well, but I feel this award should be given to Messi,” a third fan debated.

“How much bribe does one normally pay to receive those awards?” a fan brutally asked. While a fifth fan stated, “This is absolute nonsense, Rodri didn’t deserve to win it.”

Scoring and assisting are usually the decisive factors in winning the Golden Ball, but fans believe that didn’t apply to Rodri’s World Cup run.

After all, Messi may have had a terrible performance in the finals, but he still had eight goals and four assists to his name.

The award is often given to the best player of the tournament, but Messi dragging Argentina to the finals was seemingly overlooked in the decision.