Spain hoisted the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon, marking their second title in history, but before Rodri and La Roja even touched that gleaming cup, FIFA dropped its individual awards and got everyone talking. Yeah, we love seeing players get recognized for crushing it on the pitch, but let’s be real: some of these picks are based on cold stats, and others? Well, those are up for some serious debate. We’re diving into who *actually* won, and who absolutely *should have* taken home the hardware.
The Golden Ball Snub That’s Got Me Fuming
Okay, first up, the big one: the Golden Ball. Rodri from Spain walked away with it, and look, the guy was terrific, a massive part of Spain’s title run. No sleep on Rodri, he earned his stripes. But let’s get real. Kylian Mbappé, representing France, *should have* been the one holding that award. The dude bagged an insane 10 goals, leading France under just immense pressure. Ten goals! It’s wild to think that wasn’t enough. Then you’ve got Lionel Messi, who snagged the Silver Ball. Honestly, if Argentina had won, he probably gets the Golden Ball again. But in a world where Mbappé gets his due for the Golden Ball, Rodri should have been right there with the Silver for everything he did to get Spain that win. And that leaves Mbappé with the Bronze Ball, which feels like a consolation prize when he probably deserved the top spot, pushing Messi into that Bronze slot. Just saying.
Mbappé’s Unstoppable Boot and Spain’s Wall
Now, some awards just aren’t up for debate. The Golden Boot? That was all Kylian Mbappé, no question. He scorched the nets with 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, tying for the third-most ever in a single tournament, and even threw in four assists for good measure. He literally became the first player *ever* to win the Golden Boot twice. Messi couldn’t score in the final, and Mbappé bagged a brace in the third-place match, sealing it. That’s pure, undeniable dominance. Same goes for the Golden Glove. Unai Simón and Spain’s defense were just historic, giving up only 1 goal throughout the entire World Cup. That’s a record low! Sure, other keepers like Vozinha or Eloy Room had great moments, but Simón was consistently stellar, giving Spain a chance every single game. But then we hit another head-scratcher with the FIFA Young Player Award. Pau Cubarsi, the 19-year-old centerback from Spain, started every minute and was solid. But Désiré Doué from France? That guy was dynamic, deserved it more.
Fair Play, Or Just Underrated Runs?
And finally, the Fair Play Award. The Netherlands got it, with just 3 yellow cards, 0 reds, and 41 fouls. Pretty clean. But Norway, with the same 3 yellow cards, 0 reds, and 58 fouls, actually made it *two rounds further* to the quarterfinals compared to the Netherlands’ Round of 32 exit. C’mon, FIFA, you gotta reward the teams that play clean *and* make deeper runs! Norway should have totally won that one.
So, the World Cup 2026 is officially in the books, Spain is celebrating, and we’re left with these awards. Some were absolutely nailed, showcasing incredible individual brilliance. Others? Well, they’re gonna spark debates that’ll keep us talking until the next global showpiece kicks off. Can’t wait for the next one to see who makes history and who gets snubbed!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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