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World Cup individual awards: Messi wins best player, Mbappe takes the Golden Boot

Cesar Suarez
Updated
Left to right: Fernandez, Messi, Martinez and Mbappe
Left to right: Fernandez, Messi, Martinez and MbappeAFP
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar crowned Lionel Messi (35) as the best player of the tournament and, therefore, he won the so-called Golden Ball. Kylian Mbappe (23), Emiliano Martinez (30) and Enzo Fernandez (21) won the other individual awards for the tournament.

Lionel Messi has his desired and long-awaited World Cup. And, in addition, he has achieved it as the captain and talisman of his country. What's more, he was also named the best player in the tournament, winning the Golden Ball award. He also won the MVP for the final thanks to his double in the match. 

He had already won the latter award once in 2014 when Argentina lost to Germany in the final, but now he is finally able to enjoy it as a champion, having helped win his country their first World Cup title since 1986. 

Along with Messi, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament, winning the Golden Glove award. His performances, especially in penalty shootouts, have been decisive in keeping the Albiceleste alive throughout the tournament and in winning the final. 

The emergence of Enzo Fernandez in Qatar has been quite brilliant. He brought cohesion and balance to Argentina's midfield and was named the best young player of the competition. 

Unlike those three Argentinian players, Kylian Mbappe was not so happy after the match having lost in heartbreaking fashion despite a truly incredible individual performance. He scored three goals in the final and that made it eight for the tournament. Thanks to that tally, he won the Golden Boot award as the tournament's top scorer.