After the FIFA World Cup tournament in Doha, Qatar, came to an end on Sunday night, Argentinian football sensation Lionel Messi became the first footballer to win the illustrious Golden Ball award twice.
Late on Sunday, Lionel Messi was awarded the Adidas Golden Ball for being the competition’s greatest player. He earned the trophy for the first time at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, as Argentina finished in second place.
Kylian Mbappe of France earned the Silver Ball in the competition, and Luka Modric of Croatia took home the Bronze Ball.
Following a tense 3-3 stalemate after extra time, Argentina defeated France to win the World Cup 4-2 on penalties.
Argentina won their first global championship since 1986 and third overall after goaltender Emiliano Martinez of Argentina saved Kingsley Coman’s penalty and Aurelien Tchouameni missed the target.
Mbappe scored twice in as many minutes, including a penalty kick in the 80th minute, as France rallied from two goals behind to tie the game over the course of 90 minutes.
After Messi’s tap-in gave the team a 3-2 lead in the 109th minute, the France striker added his third goal from the penalty spot in the 118th minute.
Messi’s successful conversion of a 23rd-minute penalty gave Argentina a 2-0 lead in the opening period. Messi was making his record-breaking 26th World Cup appearance.
Through a brilliant four-pass counterattack, they scored again. Alexis MacAllister’s cutback found Angel Di Maria, who finished well.