FIFA World Cup: List of all Golden Ball winners
The award is handed to the best player at the tournament
Several awards at handed out at the end of every World Cup edition, alongside the prestigious World Cup trophy presented to the winning side. The Golden Ball is handed to the best player of that World Cup edition. While the Golden Boot is presented to the top scorer at the tournament. The Golden Glove Award is presented to the best goalkeeper at the tournament. The Best Young Player award is handed to the best U-21 player at the tournament. FIFA Fair Play Trophy, Goal of the Tournament and Most Entertaining Team awards are also handed out.
The best player of the tournament award has been handed out since the first edition of the World Cup. But the award was renamed and rebranded as the Golden Ball award. It was first awarded in 1982. It is currently called the 'Adidas Golden Ball'. Here is the list of all the World Cup Golden Ball winners.
World Cup Golden Ball winners
- 1930 - José Nasazzi (Uruguay)
- 1934 - Giuseppe Meazza (Italy)
- 1938 - Leonidas da Silva (Brazil)
- 1950 - Zizinho (Brazil)
- 1954 - Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)
- 1958 - Didí (Brazil)
- 1962 - Garrincha (Brazil)
- 1966 - Bobby Charlton (England)
- 1970 - Pelé (Brazil)
- 1974 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
- 1982 - Paolo Rossi (Italy)
- 1986 - Diego Maradona (Argentina)
- 1990 - Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
- 1994 - Romário (Brazil)
- 1998 - Ronaldo (Brazil)
- 2002 - Oliver Kahn (Germany)
- 2006 - Zinedine Zidane (France)
- 2010 - Diego Forlán (Uruguay)
- 2014 - Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- 2018 - Luka Modrić (Croatia)
- 2022 - Lionel Messi (Argentina)
**This article was last updated on 18 December, 2022.
- Is Neymar playing tonight for Al Hilal vs Al Tai in Kings Cup?
- Is Ruben Amorim the right manager to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United?
- How did India perform in SAFF Women's Championship 2024: key highlights & missed opportunities
- Mainz vs Bayern Munich Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds
- Hyderabad FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant lineups, team news, prediction & preview
- ISL 2024-25: Top five Indian players from Matchweek 5
- Which pot will India occupy in AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Round 3 draw?
- Who Is Oscar Bruzon? East Bengal's new head coach
- EA FC 25 title update 3: All you need to know about latest patch
- Indian Sports Calendar October 2024: Major events to look forward to in third week
- Will Oscar Bruzon's knowledge of Bashundhara Kings give East Bengal an edge in AFC Challenge Cup Clash?
- Indian Football Team Player Watch: Aakash, Chhangte & Gurpreet impress; Vikram, Suresh need to improve
- Narendra Modi highlights crazy El Clasico fandom in India
- ISL 2024-25: Alex Saji, Mourtada Fall highlight impenetrable Matchweek 6 Team of the Week defence
- Jose Molina reveals plan on 'how to beat' Hyderabad FC in ISL