In 2022 Fifa World Cup, Lionel Messi took home the Golden Ball. As Argentina won its third championship under his leadership. He broke a jinx linked with the trophy by becoming the first player to win it in two different World Cups. In the previous six tournaments, the Golden Ball had always been won by a player from either the losing semifinalist team or the runners-up.
Read More: Who won the Golden Boot award in the FIFA World Cup 2022?
Lionel Messi wins The Golden Ball Award
After winning the inaugural Golden Ball in 2014, Lionel Messi became the first athlete to win two of them. On Sunday, he achieved his second victory at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Qatar.
After announcing mid-tournament that the FIFA World Cup 2022 would be his final World Cup. Messi finished his “last dance” by defeating France and winning his second Golden Ball trophy.
In Argentina’s opening game in Qatar 2022 against Saudi Arabia, the Paris Saint-Germain forward scored his first goal.
He continued to score, including a stunning goal against Mexico. An extra-time equalizer in the championship game that sent the game into penalty shootouts. Lionel Messi is the only player to have won the Golden Ball twice in the World Cup. Since it was first given out in 1982. (2014, 2022).
Argentina won its third World Cup trophy in 2022, 36 years after the last time. Making it the only nation to have won three championships and the fourth country overall to have appeared in three or more World Cups.
How is Golden Ball Awarded?
The FIFA Technical Study Group selects a shortlist in collaboration with members of the worldwide media, and they cast votes based on the players on the shortlist. The Golden Ball award was first granted in 1982 at the Spain World Cup. They gave it to the tournament’s greatest player.
Read More: “No, I’m not going to retire”. – Messi Promises to lead Argentina even after the World Cup Wins
Leaving aside the Golden Ball award Lionel Messi breaks Several records
The Argentina captain now has eight assists. A record-tying total with Diego Maradona, and 12 goals, equal to Pele’s sum at World Cups.
He surpasses Miroslav Klose, Gerd Muller, and Ronaldo. The latter of whom had another record snatched from him by Messi, by a combined total of 20 direct goal involvements.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who previously shared the record with Cristiano Ronaldo. Become the first player to directly assist in a goal in 14 different World Cup games.
Since the introduction of the last 16, Messi has also become the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final of a World Cup.
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