Who won the Golden Ball as best player of the 2014 FIFA World Cup?

Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Messi captained Argentina to the final in Brazil, scoring four goals during the tournament. He scored in each of Argentina’s three group matches, against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria, and was central to their progress through the knockout rounds.

The award was announced after the final, which Argentina lost 1–0 to Germany in extra time. Manuel Neuer received the Golden Glove for the tournament’s best goalkeeper, so the two awards are sometimes confused. Messi’s Golden Ball recognized his overall performances, not Argentina’s final position.

The 2014 honor was Messi’s first World Cup Golden Ball. He later became the first player to win the award twice, receiving it again after leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup.