Spain triumphed over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, where Rodri was awarded FIFA’s Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. However, a significant part of the discourse throughout the competition suggested that 39-year-old Lionel Messi deserved that accolade instead. Lamine Yamal, a member of the Spanish team, recently voiced his support for Messi in an interview with Jorge Valdano on Universo Valdano.
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Yamal stated, "For me, he was the best player of the World Cup for everything he is and everything he generated. Nobody expected that a player at Leo’s age, even if it was Leo, could do things at that level." Messi's performance underscored this praise; he scored eight goals during the tournament and provided two assists in Argentina's dramatic semifinal comeback against England, leading his team to the final.
While Yamal did not directly criticize Rodri or FIFA's decision, his emphasis on Messi as the tournament's standout player left little doubt about his view on who deserved the distinction.
In addition to his admiration for Messi, Yamal expressed dissatisfaction with his own performance during the tournament, despite Spain's victory in extra time. "I didn’t come out happy after winning the World Cup. The injury thing is true, but it has nothing to do with it. If the World Cup happened again at another point, I’d feel the same way, even without the injury," he shared.
Yamal elaborated on his feelings of unfulfillment, saying, "I did a lot of things people didn’t see. For the coach, it’s incredible to have a player who drags three defenders with him, but based on my performance, I know I could have done more."
His high self-expectations highlight his ambition as he aims for recognition in the Ballon d'Or conversation, demonstrating a drive that suggests he has not reached his full potential yet.