On July 22, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) announced the results of its vote for the best player of the 2026 World Cup. Following a ballot of sports journalists around the world, 39-year-old Messi was ultimately named the best player of this World Cup.
The voting results show that Messi received 1,179 points, giving him a clear lead over Mbappe and Bellingham.
The complete top three are as follows:
Messi (Argentina): 1,179 points, supported by votes from 301 journalists
Mbappe (France): 717 points, supported by 245 journalists' votes
Bellingham (England): 470 points, voted for by 168 journalists
A six-time World Cup legend, Messi continues to make history
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi will take part in his sixth World Cup at the age of 39, becoming one of only three players in history to achieve this feat.
Although Argentina ultimately failed to defend their title, losing to Spain in the final, Messi's performances throughout the tournament remained highly impressive.
At this World Cup, Messi made eight appearances for Argentina, contributing eight goals and four assists, and repeatedly helped the team turn the situation around at crucial moments. Argentina endured a series of extra-time tests on their way to the final, and Messi was unquestionably the team’s most important driving force.
Judging by the data, Messi continues to set multiple World Cup records:
Most appearances in World Cup history: 34 matches
Most wins in World Cup history: 23 matches
Most World Cup Knockout Stage Appearances: 17 Matches
Most assists in World Cup history: 12
Scored in nine consecutive World Cup matches
In addition, Messi has become the only player in history to score at the World Cup before turning 20, after turning 20, and after turning 30.
Across his six World Cup campaigns, Messi led Argentina to the final three times and won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He is also the only player to have won the World Cup Golden Ball twice.
After the defeat in the final, Messi expressed his regret on social media: “The pain is immense, and it will take time for the wounds to heal. But I also choose to cherish all the good things, the moments when we gave everything to turn the match around, and the memories that will stay with us forever.”
Mbappe retains Golden Boot as World Cup goalscoring record is broken
France captain Mbappe ranks second. The 27-year-old Mbappe continued to display elite attacking power at the 2026 World Cup, helping France reach the semi-finals for the third consecutive World Cup.
At this tournament, Mbappe scored 10 goals, bringing his career World Cup tally to 22 and surpassing the World Cup scoring record previously held by German legend Klose to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
France eventually lost to Argentina after the semifinals, then beat England 6-4 in the third-place playoff to finish third. With his brace in that match, Mbappe successfully retained the World Cup Golden Boot.
He also became the first player in World Cup history to win the Golden Boot twice, further cementing his status among the top strikers in world football.
Bellingham Helps England Set a New Team World Cup Record
England midfielder Bellingham ranks third.
As a key figure for England at the 2026 World Cup, 23-year-old Bellingham scored seven goals in the tournament, helping the team ultimately finish third.
His seven goals set a record for the most goals by an England player in a single World Cup, and also the highest single-tournament tally by a midfielder in World Cup history. Bellingham was especially outstanding in the knockout stage, scoring twice in both the round of 16 against Mexico and the quarter-final against Norway, becoming the first player since Maradona in 1986 to score two goals in consecutive World Cup knockout matches.
AIPS World Cup Best Player Voting Rules
This selection was open to all AIPS-registered journalists, as well as journalists participating in the AIPS World Cup Hotline project, with a total of 472 journalists from 121 countries taking part.
Each journalist is required to select their top three players for the 2026 World Cup based on their own choice:
First place earns 5 points
Second place receives 3 points
Third place receives 1 point
A total of 20 players ultimately made the shortlist.
Final rankings for the AIPS World Cup Best Player
Messi (Argentina) - 1179 points
Mbappe (France) - 717 points
Bellingham (England) -- 470 points
Haaland (Norway) — 460 points
Yamal (Spain) — 304 points
Rodri (Spain) -- 285 points
Vozinha (Cape Verde) -- 189 points
Kane (England) -- 130 points
Oyarzabal (Spain) -- 118 points
Olise (France) - 91 points
The association stated that the voting covered multiple countries and regions around the world, reflecting the comprehensive assessment by global sports media journalists of players' performances at the 2026 World Cup.
bigblaed
0
rubbish....... Mbappe was more outstanding than Messi... Messi should be 2nd. and mbappe 1st bellingham 3rd
Tocilostyz
0
Rodri 1st,2nd & 3rd
dodcelnrz
0
the people that didn't get to the final are better to u. Mbappe came 4th oo, Bellingham 3rd. na wa for u oo
You get time to reply this Mumu mbape and Jude are the Best players but Messi is not but it is Messi that went to the Finals Ronaldo fans are becoming soo stupid because of Obsession from Messi because their Favorite can’t do what the Goat is doing ❤️
sebkprsu
0
if u like release any rank and put rodri 20th we don't care..an Argentina team who was busying playing African team the whole time...your Messi who could not make a single on target and a single off target
sebkprsu
0
fake
Sebimnpuy
0
If Messi is the best, Where was he on the final game? individually he supposed to show that he is the best. but he was no where to be seen. Bellingham and Mbape individually they were the best
the people that didn't get to the final are better to u. Mbappe came 4th oo, Bellingham 3rd. na wa for u oo
tuwdmnops
0
those journalists...they want to frabicate what will justify them giving Ballon dor to their misssis
Trinity014
2
But i believe you guys knows that is only Ronaldo that has won Ballon D’Or without winning any trophy in 2013??? All winners from my king 🤴 Messi has come from carrying his team in winning trophies. Na only Oga with only goals as award in his career. When you know the best you know Messi. the gap between him and Ronaldo is too no my Ronaldo fan. Because no matter the chase na only to score goals Ronaldo sabi and the goals never still give am as much trophy when Messi don get with lesser goals scored. At the we should understand that the comparison is over a long time ago, or less say even if Whonan want put am say since World Cup. Messi don too beat Ronaldo in winning by head to head when it comes to trophy winning 🥇 🏆
deejay_Henzoo
0
Yet Rodri won the Golden ball, what an irony 😂😂😂
He didn’t deserve it what did he do?
voebeipsuy
0
Messi fans will not cease to amaze me.
0 World cups ronaldo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
voebeipsuy
0
Bullsshitttt
0 World cups ronaldo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🐫
voebeipsuy
0
btw who cares about this ranking
0 World cups ronaldo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🐫
voebeipsuy
0
Yet Rodri won the Golden ball, what an irony 😂😂😂
Messi already worldcup winner cry more 🤣🤣
Wotkmnpsuz
0
I don't have any problem here coz if tackles amounting to red cards are not looked at, if football becomes self interest centered what next. we still mourn how Egypt was robbed broad day light so tell me ur after football not ur own interests rubbish world cup thank God Spain with Rodri did the best to clinch the title.
voebeipsuy
0
Yet Rodri won the Golden ball, what an irony 😂😂😂
Where old man c ronaldo 🤣🤣🤣
henabclmty
1
If Messi is the best, Where was he on the final game? individually he supposed to show that he is the best. but he was no where to be seen. Bellingham and Mbape individually they were the best
Ghost4_3_3
1
Yet Rodri won the Golden ball, what an irony 😂😂😂
sonbeiosty
0
this is a joke.
social3727
3
Rubbish,this aips is owned by an argentine
pihckloptz
0
first match of the worldcup 😂😂😂
[image]
Dibu deserved a Man of the match award in the final
akpovike
0
very soon ,another ranking will be released.nonsense
Tapacdeiks
0
a joke
Fowaeiklp
0
We are talking about the cup most impotent trophy you’re here talking about ranking cup already gone
Mwewaman
1
I can't see Ronaldo anywhere else. What's the problem ?
Iffy106
2
Cr7 fans will be 😭😭😭😭😭😭 crying now just like their boss 😂
Fowaeiklp
0
Says who? One must truly play and understand the game to realize the greatness...an English fan could never understand this in his life time
Masa the cup is already gone to Spain let us think something better don’t continue deceiving ur self boy
bancknpt
0
Consolation is always accepted!!
Vuubdkmopz
0
zancen banza😏😏
jayaeortz
0
Messi top Seconded by Yamal
Suarezzy
0
the goat
Suarezzy
0
they are the ones rigging ballon for for him all the years....clowns
hi
kizcdeimop
0
whats the use of rank 1 by robing all his opponent
so that people like you keep crying, piece of****
kizcdeimop
0
corrupt, what journalists know about football. seriously messi? he is a cheater
oh, so you know football better. crying piece of shit
michaelkhongsai
1
Messi is still the best
kizcdeimop
0
btw who cares about this ranking
why did you come to read it then. crying piece of ****
shewolf07
0
btw who cares about this ranking
Nitbiklmpt
0
they are the ones rigging ballon for for him all the years....clowns
rebaciknop
0
And they gave Golden ball to Rodri. the yeye boda fans won't say Fifa is backing Messi now oooo. bunch of useless animals
Liodbest
1
Messi is the best ever, you can cry as you want, but cr7 will always be in Messi shadow
Zibiklmnyz
0
🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
Zibiklmnyz
0
ose gilalalallaaak
Tiycekruz
0
we don't care and we know everything going on, you can even give messi bollon door we know have known fifa for long time and they are a robbers.
Zibiklmnyz
1
hhh
Dekclmnu
2
It should be ISPA not AIPS, Messi by far the MVP.
Kenny Collins
0
first match of the worldcup 😂😂😂
jd2n
2
can we now conclude that FIFA robbed Messi of this award
Waziknoprt
0
corrupt, what journalists know about football. seriously messi? he is a cheater
Chouldry
0
atleast you people fix Ronaldo somewhere, even if it means to rank the first 100
bupbdklmry
0
had to give him something to stop him crying seeing as the plan didnt work out
dullard, for someone that have won it all, unlike your favorite that failed woefully in the biggest tournament throughout his Carrier.
AhmedFilm
0
Bullsshitttt