Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, has been declared the outstanding player of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
The decision was made based on a vote by 472 sports journalists from 121 countries around the world, according to AIPS Asia’s treasurer, Niranjan Rajbanshi. Messi secured a total of 1,179 points, surpassing France’s Kylian Mbappe (717 points) and England’s Jude Bellingham (470 points).
The voting process was organized by AIPS, with AIPS cardholders and journalists participating in the AIPS World Cup Hotline program casting their votes. The voters selected the top three players of the World Cup based on their priority.
According to the voting system, the player in first place received five points, the player in second place received three points, and the player in third place received one point. The final list, which was made public on July 13, included 20 players.
Based on the votes of sports journalists from around the world, Lionel Messi was declared the AIPS Outstanding Player of the FIFA World Cup 2026. At 39 years old, Messi became one of three players in World Cup history to participate in six editions and took part in the 2026 World Cup.
Although he missed winning his second consecutive World Cup title by just one victory, Messi’s incredible performance defied his age and captivated the world of football once again. In the 2026 World Cup, Messi was the driving force behind Argentina’s team, led by coach Lionel Scaloni.
He provided leadership to the team, especially in crucial moments, scoring eight goals and making four assists in eight games, playing a vital role in taking Argentina to the final.
Argentina’s ability to turn the game in their favor from difficult situations and win by fighting in extra time was a testament to Messi’s skills, who was at the center of it all.
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