What is Golden Ball Award In World Cups ?
Golden Ball is a individual trophy awarded to the best player of the tournament. It was first introduced back in 1982 where Italy’s Paolo Rossi became the first player to win this award. Since then at the end of Every world cup the best player of the tournament is awarded with this trophy.
How is the winner selected ?
By the semifinal stage a shortlist of best players of the tournament till that stage is drawn by the FIFA’s technical committee and during the final media representatives from different countries select the winner. The award is usually presented after the FIFA World Cup trophy presentation.
| NO | Player | World Cup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Paolo Rossi | 1982 |
| 2 |  Diego Maradona | 1986 |
| 3 | Salvatore Schillaci | 1990 |
| 4 |  Romario | 1994 |
| 5 | Ronaldo | 1998 |
| 6 |  Oliver Kahn | 2002 |
| 7 |  Zinedine Zidane | 2006 |
| 8 |  Diego Forlan | 2010 |
| 9 | Lionel Messi | 2014 |
| 10 |  Luka Modric | 2018 |
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