Zlatan Ibrahimović believes Lionel Messi ought to have gained the Golden Ball on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, regardless of Spain midfielder Rodri being named the event’s greatest participant.
Reacting to the award, Softfootball gathered that the previous Sweden striker questioned the factors used to find out the winner, arguing that Messi’s performances all through the competitors warranted soccer’s prime particular person honour.
Zlatan mentioned:
What else did Messi should do to win it? I genuinely don’t perceive the factors anymore. When you look again at 2018, Luka Modrić gained the Golden Ball with out successful the World Cup.
So what modified now? Messi carried Argentina all through the event, delivered when it mattered most, and was as soon as once more the participant everybody feared. If that wasn’t sufficient, then inform me what’s. It feels just like the requirements are all the time completely different relating to Messi.
Each different participant will get judged a method, however with him, individuals all of the sudden transfer the goalposts. It’s all the time in opposition to Messi. I’m joyful for Rodri, however from a soccer perspective, I don’t assume anybody had a stronger case than Messi.
Spain accomplished a memorable World Cup marketing campaign by defeating Argentina 1-0 within the ultimate to elevate their second world title. Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball after main La Roja by an unbeaten event, whereas Messi impressed Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup ultimate earlier than ending as runners-up.
