FIFA World Cup Awards List (1930–2022): Golden Ball, Boot, Glove - Young Player

Kylian Mbappé (France, 2018)  – He won the Best Young Player award at age 19. He also won the Golden Boot in 2022.

Most Goals in a Match

Oleg Salenko (Russia, 1994)  – He scored 5 goals in a single match against Cameroon. He won the Golden Boot with 6 goals despite Russia being eliminated in the group stage.

What About the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time. The award winners for 2026 will be decided after the final. As of June 2026, the tournament has not yet started. Check back after the final to know the 2026 winners.

Key Facts for Sports GK and Exams

• Golden Ball  – Best overall player of the tournament. First awarded in 1982 (retrospectively for earlier years). First winner: Paolo Rossi (1982).

• Golden Boot  – Highest goal scorer. First awarded in 1930 (retrospectively). Most goals in a tournament: Just Fontaine (13 in 1958).

• Golden Glove  – Best goalkeeper. First awarded in 1994 as Lev Yashin Award. Renamed Golden Glove in 2010.

• Best Young Player  – Best player aged 21 or under. First awarded in 2006. First winner: Lukas Podolski (2006).

• Most Golden Boots  – Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo have won one each, but the record for most goals in World Cup history belongs to Miroslav Klose (16 goals across 4 tournaments).

• Lionel Messi  – Only player to win two Golden Balls (2014, 2022). He also won the Golden Ball in 2022 after leading Argentina to victory.

• Kylian Mbappé  – Only player to win Best Young Player (2018) and later Golden Boot (2022).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Who has won the most Golden Ball awards?
A: Lionel Messi has won two Golden Balls (2014 and 2022). No other player has won more than one.

Q2: Which player scored the most goals in a single World Cup?
A: Just Fontaine of France scored 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup. This remains the record.

Q3: Has any goalkeeper won the Golden Ball?
A: Yes. Oliver Kahn of Germany won the Golden Ball in 2002. He is the only goalkeeper to achieve this.

Q4: When was the Best Young Player award introduced?
A: The Best Young Player award was introduced in 2006. The first winner was Lukas Podolski of Germany.

Q5: Who won the Golden Boot in 2022?
A: Kylian Mbappé of France won the Golden Boot in 2022 with 8 goals. He also scored a hat-trick in the final.