The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has declared Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi the best player of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Based on voting participated in by 472 sports journalists from 121 countries around the world, Messi received a total of 1,179 points, surpassing France’s Kylian Mbappé (717 points) and England’s Jude Bellingham (470 points).

The voters in the poll organized by AIPS were AIPS card-holding sports journalists and journalists from around the world who participated in the AIPS World Cup Hotline program. They selected the top three players of the World Cup based on their preferences.

According to the voting system, the player in first place received 5 points, second place received 3 points, and third place received 1 point. The final list, made public on July 13, included 20 players. Based on the votes of sports journalists worldwide, Messi was declared the AIPS Best Player of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 39-year-old Messi became one of only three players in World Cup history to play in six editions, participating in the 2026 World Cup. Although he was just one win away from a second consecutive World Cup title, he once again captivated world football with his extraordinary performance that defied his age.

He became emotional after the loss to Spain. As Argentine supporters chanted his name, he was overcome with tears. On Monday, he said via Instagram, “This pain is immense. It will take time for this wound to heal. But I will always remember the unforgettable moments we created by fighting to the end and turning seemingly impossible games into victories.”

In the 2026 World Cup, Messi became the true heartbeat of coach Lionel Scaloni’s Argentine squad. He led the team in decisive moments. Scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists in 8 matches, he played a crucial role in taking Argentina to the final. Throughout the tournament, Argentina demonstrated the art of turning difficult situations in their favor and winning through extra-time struggles, with Messi at the center of it all.

After the 2026 World Cup, Messi added numerous records to his name. Including both men’s and women’s World Cups, he became the second-highest goal scorer in World Cup history. His total World Cup goals reached 21, while Kylian Mbappé’s reached 22.

Messi is also the player with the most assists in World Cup history, with 12. He holds several other records as well. He has played the most World Cup matches (34), won the most World Cup matches (23), played the most knockout-stage matches (17), scored in 9 consecutive World Cup matches, and is the only player to score in the World Cup as a teenager, in his 20s, and in his 30s.

In his six World Cup journeys, Messi took Argentina to the final three times. He won the World Cup in 2022. He is the only player to win the Golden Ball more than once at the World Cup. In 2026, he received the Silver Ball award.

France’s 27-year-old captain Kylian Mbappé played a key role in taking France to the World Cup semifinals for the third consecutive time. Scoring 10 goals in the tournament, he brought his total World Cup goals to 22 across three World Cups, setting the record for the most goals in World Cup history.

France, the 2018 World Champion and 2022 runner-up, finished this time without a medal. In the thrilling third-place match against England, France lost 6–4.

However, by scoring two goals in that match, Mbappé won the Golden Boot for the second consecutive time, becoming the first player in World Cup history to be the top scorer twice. He has further established himself as one of the great strikers in world football.