By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé is now the owner of World Cup Golden Boots.
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Spain then won all the individual player awards Sunday, denying Lionel Messi not only a second World Cup title but also more personal hardware.
Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, Unai Simón won the Golden Glove for the top performance by a goalkeeper, and Pau Cubarsí won the Best Young Player Award, beating out fellow 19-year-old teammate Lamine Yamal.
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Messi was hoping to win a record-extending third Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. He’s already the only player to win the award multiple times since it was first given in 1978, and sparking Argentina’s run to a second straight final at age 39 gave him a strong case for another.
But the award went to Rodri for captaining Spain’s run to its second World Cup title.
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Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon poses with the tournament’s best goalkeeper award at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Spain defender Pau Cubarsi (22) holds the FIFA Young Player Award after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) walks off the pttch after the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after heading the ball during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Spain’s Rodri poses with the tournament’s best player award at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)