Golden Ball is an individual trophy awarded to the best player of the tournament. It was first introduced back in 1982 when Italy’s Paolo Rossi became the first player to win this award. Since then at the end of Every world cup, the best player in the tournament is awarded this trophy.
Content Summary
Criteria for selecting winners:
By the semifinal stage a shortlist of best players of the tournament till that stage is drawn by the FIFA’s technical committee and during the final media representatives from different countries select the winner. The award is usually presented after the FIFA World Cup trophy presentation.
Paolo Rossi
Fifa Worldcup: 1982
The Italian star Paolo Rossi was the first footballer who won the golden ball award back in 1982.
Diego Maradona
Fifa WorldCup: 1986
One of the greatest footballers in football history, Diego Maradona became the golden ball winner in the 1986 world cup.
Salvatore Schillaci
Fifa WorldCup: 1990
The surprising star in Fifa World Cup 1990, Salvatore Schillaci helped Italy to a third-place finish on home soil. Awarded as the golden ball award winner on that occasion.
Romario
Fifa WorldCup: 1994
Back in the 1994 World Cup, the Brazilian star Romario was the fourth player who won the golden ball award.
Ronaldo
Fifa WorldCup: 1998
At the age of 21, the Brazilian star Ronaldo was the first youngest player in the squad who won the golden ball award in Fifa World Cup.
Oliver Kahn
Fifa WorldCup: 2002
Oliver Kahn became the only goalkeeper in the tournament’s history to win the Golden Ball Award in the 2002 World Cup.
Zinedine Zidane
Fifa WorldCup: 2006
Despite the outstanding performances back in the 2006 Fifa World Cup Zidane received the Golden Ball for Player of the Tournament at the 2006 World Cup.
Diego Forlan
Fifa WorldCup: 2010
Finishing the tournament as joint top scorer with five goals, Forlan managed to wins the golden ball award in the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Lionel Messi
Fifa WorldCup: 2014
One of the greatest players in Argentina’s football history, Lionel Messi who won many international awards another award came to his name the golden ball award in the 2014 World Cup.
Luka Modric
Fifa WorldCup: 2018
Modric led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup Final, and he received as the reward the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament.
| No | Player | World cup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paolo Rossi | 1982 |
| 2 | Diego Maradona | 1986 |
| 3 | Salvatore Schillaci | 1990 |
| 4 | Romario | 1994 |
| 5 | Ronaldo | 1998 |
| 6 | Oliver Kahn | 2002 |
| 7 | Zinedine Zidane | 2006 |
| 8 | Diego Forlan | 2010 |
| 9 | Lionel Messi | 2014 |
| 10 | Luka Modric | 2018 |
FAQs Regarding Golden Ball Award Winners In FIFA World Cup Since 1982-2018|
When FIFA Golden Ball Award was introduced in World Cup?
1982 World Cup was the first tournament where Golden Ball-Award was introduced
Who Won First Golden Ball Award?
Paolo Rossi in 1982.
Who won the latest golden ball award in FIFA World Cup 2018?
Luka Modric in the 2018 World Cup.