Lionel Messi, at 39 years old and currently playing for Inter Miami, has been named the best player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, as announced by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). The recognition comes after a global vote involving 472 journalists from 121 countries, where Messi topped the rankings with 1,179 points, outpacing France's Kylian Mbappé, who garnered 717 points, and England's Jude Bellingham, who received 470 points.

Messi's Final World Cup Journey

Messi concluded his illustrious World Cup career with a runner-up finish, leading Argentina to the final through a series of dramatic victories. This tournament marked Messi's sixth World Cup appearance, where he showcased his talent by scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists across 7 matches. Despite his impressive performance, Argentina fell short in the final against Spain, losing 0-1 after extra time, a defeat that left Messi visibly emotional as he listened to the fans' chants following the match.

A Legacy of Excellence

The AIPS highlighted the significance of the 2026 World Cup, which featured 104 matches filled with surprises, culminating in Spain's victory over Argentina. The final was described as a moment of generational transition, symbolically marking Messi's passing of the baton to Lamine Yamal, a young talent he had bathed in 2007. Even in defeat, Messi's performance was remarkable, as he climbed to second place in World Cup history for total goals scored, now with 21, trailing only Mbappé's 22 goals. He also extended his record for most World Cup assists to 12.

Messi's contributions were pivotal to Argentina's success, as noted by AIPS, which stated that he was the heart of the team under coach Lionel Scaloni. His career is filled with records, including the most World Cup appearances (34 matches), most World Cup wins (23 victories), and most knockout-stage appearances (17 matches). He remains the only player to score in World Cups during his teens, 20s, and 30s, solidifying his legacy in the tournament.