The football world cup organized by FIFA for the year 2022 finally came to end. However, many fans were eagerly waiting to know who wins the golden ball for this year’s tournament. The result may not come as a surprise to many fans over the world. It was eventually none other than Lionel Messi who won the Golden Ball at the 2022 World Cup, making him the first player to win both the Golden Ball and World Cup in one season.

 

The golden ball award is given to the best player at a tournament and has been given out since 1982. Throughout its history, it has been awarded to players from one of three teams, the winners, runners-up, or losing semifinalists. However, when it comes to o Lionel Messi, he has now won both awards in one season—he won Golden Ball (best player) last night at Qatar 2022 as Argentina beat France 3-0 in the final.

Only three players have ever won both Golden Ball and World Cup at once which includes Paolo Rossi and Diego Maradona did so in Italy’s victory over Mexico in 1982. Romario did so with Brazil’s win over Argentina four years later. The only other player to win both awards was Salvatore Schillaci of Italy (who also lost in the semifinals), who it whiled playing for Juventus against Barcelona back in 1990.

The jinx associated with this award lasted six years before Lionel Messi broke it last night, in fact, since 1982 when this award was given to an Argentine player. The award is a prestigious one and informs about the value of a player to the team. Lionel Messi was invaluable to Argentina in this world cup and with Argentina lifting the World Cup 2022; it came as no surprise that the golden ball was rightfully awarded to Lionel Messi.