World Cup Golden Ball
Award
19
MENTIONS
9
EPISODES
9
PODCASTS
Search complete. 19 mentions across 9 episodes found for "World Cup Golden Ball".
Oct 28, 2026
Daniel GarbGUEST
But he was coming back from injury, so he didn't play a whole lot of football domestically.
Daniel GarbGUEST
And Lionel Messi was the second best player at the World Cup, runner-up in the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot.
Daniel GarbGUEST
Obviously, he was remarkable with Argentina.
Daniel GarbGUEST
But he plays in the MLS where, you know, it's not a high enough standard of league to win the Ballon d'Or.
Daniel GarbGUEST
For me, it was so incredibly tough to compile that final list, mainly because a World Cup or a Euros, from my experience, usually separates a player or two from the rest.
Daniel GarbGUEST
This time around, it actually made it more complicated because the two best World Cup performers were Rodri, who wins the Golden Ball, but he doesn't play much domestically, so he couldn't win it.
Daniel GarbGUEST
And Lionel Messi... who plays for Inter Miami in the MLS, and he couldn't really win it off the back of an MLS campaign.
Daniel GarbGUEST
So they actually made it harder.
Daniel GarbGUEST
But I do put a lot of weight on it.
Daniel GarbGUEST
And I just think Messi's World Cup was abnormal again.
Daniel GarbGUEST
He finishes second in the golden boot, second in the golden ball to carry Argentina to the final the way in which he did.
Daniel GarbGUEST
It was just extraordinary.
speaker_1NARRATOR
Soon after the break, Messi dragged a shot wide with only Manuel Neuer to beat, and Germany won the trophy in extra time.
speaker_1NARRATOR
FIFA gave Messi the Golden Ball, the prize for the World Cup's best player.
speaker_1NARRATOR
Even FIFA's own president, Sepp Blatter, said he was a little bit surprised.
speaker_1NARRATOR
Diego Maradona called it unfair.
5 MINS LATER
speaker_1NARRATOR
How many World Cup knockout goals did Messi have? Hislop asked the question, and Hislop answered it himself.
speaker_1NARRATOR
None.
speaker_1NARRATOR
Even Messi's golden ball from Brazil didn't count.
speaker_1NARRATOR
According to Hislop, Messi knew that vote was a joke.
Miguel PereiraGUEST
Under 17
Mark HarrisonHOST
... um, he won the Golden, uh, Golden Ball.
Matt HarrisonHOST
So when you, uh-
Miguel PereiraGUEST
Yeah
SharkyHOST
Okay.
FuadPANELIST
I think obviously the World Cup, he got the golden ball.
FuadPANELIST
It was a fantastic World Cup.
FuadPANELIST
He was the best player on the team that won it.
24 MINS LATER
FuadPANELIST
I think he was probably the best player at the World Cup.
LiasPANELIST
Yeah.
FuadPANELIST
I think he should've won the Golden Ball.
LiasPANELIST
And again, this goes back to like-
ReynosoHOST
And my number six, I think I have the best representation of good World Cup, bad club performance.
ReynosoHOST
And more so, more specifically, I just don't think that you can win the Golden Ball at the World Cup and not be a top 10 Ballon d'Or candidate.
ReynosoHOST
I don't know if that's possible, bro.
ReynosoHOST
[laughs]
SolteroHOST
I think so.
ReynosoHOST
Yeah.
SolteroHOST
No, I, I think so because of the Golden Ball, uh-
ReynosoHOST
Tax
Ben JonesHOST
...
Ben JonesHOST
in 18, 1980, then two years later they win the World cup with Rossi being the Golden Ball winner, the Gold, the Golden Boot winner.
Gareth ThomasHOST
Who's like weeks back from his ban, isn't he? Yeah.
Ben JonesHOST
Uh, yeah, yeah.
speaker_0NARRATOR
Romario went second and scored.
speaker_0NARRATOR
After Roberto Baggio sent his effort over the bar, Brazil were champions and Romário won the golden ball.
speaker_0NARRATOR
Finally, the tiny Brazilian had grown into his ego.
speaker_0NARRATOR
Romário has been accused of many things, but he has never been quiet.
JuniorPANELIST
...
JuniorPANELIST
I mean, the Golden Ball, as well as Messi-
FaizalGUEST
Mm
JuniorPANELIST
... right above him.