Golden Ball: History repeats itself

The Golden Ball award, presented to the best player at the World Cup finals, is selected from a shortlist drawn up by the FIFA technical committee. It is voted by the representatives of the media. The current Golden Ball award was first introduced during the 1982 World Cup and the winner was Italy's, Paolo Rossi. In the past five tournaments, Golden Ball was bagged by a player whose team failed to win the World Cup Trophy. The last time a Golden Ball winner's team won the cup was when Romario kissed the Golden Ball with the World cup for Brazil

In the past Six tournaments, Golden Ball was bagged by a player whose team failed to win the World Cup Trophy. In 2014 Messi won the Golden Ball award while his Argentina lost to Germany (1-0) in the final. Ronaldo (1998), Oliver Khan (2002), Zinedine Zidane (2006), Diego Forlan (2010) and Messi (2014), Luka Modric (2018) were the winners whose team failed to win the World Cup.

PSG’s Winger Kylian Mbappe who scored four goals in the tournament won the Young Player award. Harry Kane, leading goal scorer with six goals won the Golden Boot. While Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper.

Let's look at all the other players who have won the Golden Ball but failed to win the coveted World Cup trophy.

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1998 - Ronaldo

Ronaldo played a great role in bringing Brazil to the final in the World Cup (France) but failed to shine in the final. France defeated Brazil (3-0) to win the World Cup. And Ronaldo went home with the best player award. Ronaldo was at his peak, aged 22 with a great speed and physical strength but a few hours before the final, when the Brazil squad was announced it was Edmundo instead of Ronaldo. A few minutes before the match, the line-up was changed again: Ronaldo would play. Zidane scored two head goals in the first half and took the advantage in the second half. Then the Frenchmen only controlled time and scored the third goal with Pettit.

2002 - Oliver Khan

Ronaldo’s team took revenge on the world cup held in South Korea and Japan. They defeated Germany in the final (1-0). But Germany’s Goalkeeper Olive Khan won the golden ball award. Oliver Khan is the only goalkeeper in the history who has won the Golden Ball. With the worst German teams in history, Olive Khan singe handily took Germans into the finals.

2006 - Zinedine Zidane

France's captain Zinedine Zidane won the FIFA Golden Ball award as the outstanding player of the World Cup, even though France failed to win the Cup. Zidane scored 3 goals in the tournament after which he came out with his retirement. In the final, Zidane got a red card for the controversial headbutt against the Italian defender Marco Materazzi.

2010 - Diego Forlan

Uruguay’s Diego Forlan was named as the best player in the South Africa world cup even though his team was defeated by the Netherlands in the semi-finals. Spain beat the Netherlands and won the cup. Forlan, The former Athletico Madrid striker scored 5 goals in that tournament including a hat-trick against Peru and an injury-time winner against qualification rivals Ecuador.

2014 - Lionel Messi

Messi won the Golden Ball award in 2014 while his side lost to Germany in the final 1-0. The Catalonian superstar did not win the tournament, but his individual efforts were applauded as he scored four goals and provided one assist. Messi is the third Argentine to receive the Golden Ball after Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona. Messi created more chances and dribbles (46) than anybody at the 2014 World Cup.

2018 - Luka Modric

Luka Modric, the diminutive midfielder who carried Croatia into World Cup final won the Golden Ball award for the best player in the tournament in FIFA World Cup 2018 even though his side lost to France (4-2) in the final. Croatia ranked 20th in the FIFA Rankings, defeated Argentina (5th), Denmark (12) and England (12) on their way to the Finals. Luka had scored two goals and provided one assist.