Messi wins Golden Ball after indelible World Cup triumph

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Winners' Trophy while holding the adidas Golden Boot award after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
Julian Finney / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Lionel Messi finally has his hands on the World Cup trophy. He added another piece of hardware for good measure Sunday, too.

Argentina's captain was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player at the tournament in Qatar after leading his country to its third title and first since 1986.

It's the second time the 35-year-old has been bestowed with the individual honor after he claimed the award in 2014 in Brazil when Argentina fell to Germany in the competition's final.

Messi is the first player to win the Golden Ball more than once.

He finished second in the Golden Boot race with seven goals, one tally behind Paris Saint-Germain teammate and France superstar Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in a losing effort in Sunday's final.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS
MORE STORIES