Lionel Messi, the only player in World Cup history to snag the Golden Ball twice, is leading the pack for the 2026 tournament's best player award with +140 odds as of July 14. This dude already won it in 2014 and 2022, so he knows what it takes, and he's showing up big time this summer. He's literally scored in every single match so far, only missing a goal in Argentina's quarterfinal win against Switzerland. But even then? He dropped an assist. That's clutch.
Bellingham Emerges, England's Star Shines
Right behind Messi, looking to make a name for himself, is England's Jude Bellingham at +225. Where did this guy come from?! He's absolutely popped off this tournament, bagging a brace against Mexico in the Round of 16 and then doing it again with another brace against Norway in the quarterfinals. Talk about showing up when it matters most! His teammate, Harry Kane, is also making noise with +800 odds. England's superstar has a nasty six goals in six matches, including three crucial goals in two knockout stage games. This England squad is bringing the fire.Spain Surges, Mbappé's Odds Plummet
But don't sleep on Spain, who are making a serious push. Midfielder Rodri is at +350, surging up the odds board after Spain's 2-0 semifinal win over France. And then there's Lamine Yamal, a 19-year-old phenom at +900. He's only got one goal, yeah, but his impact on Spain's run to the World Cup final has been HUGE. Just recently, he drew a penalty that set up Spain's first goal in that semifinal win against France. That's a veteran move from a teenager! On the flip side, what a brutal turn for Kylian Mbappé. This guy finished second to Messi for the Golden Ball in 2022 and even won the Golden Boot in Qatar with eight goals. He's had a strong tournament, too, with eight goals in seven games, including a brace against Sweden in the Round of 32, a converted penalty against Paraguay in the Round of 16, and another goal in the quarterfinals against Morocco. But after France's semifinal loss to Spain, where he went scoreless, his odds absolutely cratered. He was at +140, neck and neck with Messi, and now? He's all the way down to +1600. Ouch. That's gotta sting, especially when the stakes are this high. The World Cup final is set, and the race for the Golden Ball is intense. With Messi as the clear favorite and guys like Bellingham, Rodri, and Yamal stepping up huge, it's gonna be epic to see who ultimately lifts that trophy for best player. What a tournament!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.