The 2026 World Cup Final has arrived, with Spain and Argentina locking horns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
In a battle between the reigning European and South American champions — not to mention the current holders — this match feels like it’ll come down to either La Roja’s mesmeric team play or La Albiceleste’s grit and tenacity.
Of course, the biggest match in football will always be decided by huge performances from iconic individuals.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Emi Martinez feel primed to step up this time around, but who have been the heroes in years past? Here is every World Cup Final Man of the Match in the 21st century.
2002: Ronaldo
- Scoreline: Germany 0-2 Brazil
- Key stat: Ronaldo scored two goals in 12 second-half minutes to clinch a fifth World Cup title for Brazil
The ‘original’ Ronaldo. R9. Fenomeno. Call him what you want, Ronaldo was a pure force of nature and arguably the greatest outright No.9 ever to play the game. He proved that in the 2002 Final with a quickfire second-half brace to take the game beyond Germany and seal Brazil’s fifth title.
Ronaldo’s first saw him pounce on a rare spill from goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, while his second was a trademark precision finish from the edge of the box after a dummy from Rivaldo wrong-footed the German defence.
After the heartbreak of Brazil’s 3-0 defeat to France in the 1998 Final, and everything Ronaldo endured at the end of that tournament, this was a landmark moment for the then-Inter Milan striker and the ultimate redemption arc for a true legend of the game.
2006: Andrea Pirlo
- Scoreline: Italy 1-1 France (Italy won 5-3 on penalties)
- Key stat: Andrea Pirlo created three chances in the 2006 World Cup Final
If Ronaldo’s Man of the Match award was due to pure impact, Andrea Pirlo’s in 2006 was thanks to utter control.
The then-AC Milan star had a very strong claim to the title of world’s best midfielder. That was clear in Berlin as Pirlo created three chances and assisted Marco Materazzi’s equaliser that ensured the game went all the way to extra time and penalties.
Pirlo also completed 70 passes, had just two unsuccessful touches and made two tackles in a performance that kept a phenomenal France side at bay. Then there was the small matter of stepping up and dispatching his spot-kick as Italy beat Les Bleus 5-3 on penalties to bring home their fourth title.
2010: Andres Iniesta
- Scoreline: Netherlands 0-1 Spain
- Key stat: Andres Iniesta scored Spain’s only World Cup Final goal to date
There has arguably never been an international side as good as Spain between 2008 and 2012, when they won three consecutive major tournaments.
Slap bang in the middle of that run was the 2010 World Cup, which was La Roja’s maiden success in this tournament and their first-ever Final, ending decades of underperformance and pain for one of football’s true superpowers.
From Iker Casillas and Carles Puyol to Xavi and David Villa, this Spanish side was utterly stacked with talent. The likes of David Silva, Juan Mata and Javi Martinez didn’t even get on the pitch.
But Andres Iniesta was arguably the greatest of the lot. The diminutive playmaker was subject to some brutal treatment in the Final against a robust Netherlands side, being fouled eight times. However, he rose above it all to deliver an extra-time winner, becoming the only Spaniard to date to score in a World Cup Final.
That was the crowning moment in a performance that yielded two chances created, 95 touches of the ball and 12 ground duels won.
2014: Mario Gotze
- Scoreline: Germany 1-0 Argentina
- Key stat: Mario Gotze became the youngest World Cup Final goalscorer since 1966
Mario Gotze only came onto the pitch in the 88th minute, but the 2014 Final was a war of attrition that yielded just 13 shots from both sides combined across normal time.
When extra time came, however, Germany found a hero, with Gotze expertly controlling and finishing a perfect delivery from fellow substitute Andre Schurrle.
Gotze was a terror throughout his short time on the pitch, creating two chances and getting both his shots on target. The all-important strike handed Germany a fourth World Cup title, while Gotze became the youngest World Cup Final goalscorer since compatriot Wolfgang Weber in 1966.
It’s incredible to think Germany would have to wait 12 years for Kai Havertz to score their next World Cup knockout goal, while they are yet to win a knockout match since the 2014 Final.
2018: Antoine Griezmann
- Scoreline: France 4-2 Croatia
- Key stat: Antoine Griezmann restored France’s lead with his 10th major tournament goal, at the time becoming just the fourth Les Bleus player to reach that milestone
Whether it was Blaise Matuidi carrying the water for Paul Pogba in midfield or Olivier Giroud running cover for Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann up front, the 2018 World Cup was a tactical masterclass from Didier Deschamps.
It was Griezmann who took the Man of the Match honour on this occasion. The former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward scored from the spot to put Les Bleus 2-1 ahead in an eventual 4-2 win over Croatia. That was just one moment in a dynamic showing that produced two chances created, two shots on target, three attempted dribbles and eight duels won from 17 contested.
Griezmann was a true icon in a golden period for the French national team, and this was his crowning moment.
2022: Lionel Messi
- Scoreline: Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties)
- Key stat: Lionel Messi became just the second Argentine and 11th player all-time to score multiple goals in a World Cup Final
After the heartbreak of 2014, Lionel Messi was out to prove a point four years ago in Qatar.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored from the spot in the 23rd minute, then again 18 minutes into extra time as Argentina and France threw everything they had at each other in a stunning 3-3 draw.
In what was arguably the greatest World Cup Final of all time, Messi was actually outscored by Mbappe in Lusail, with the Frenchman joining Geoff Hurst as just the second player to score a World Cup Final hat-trick. And both players scored their nations’ first spot-kicks as Argentina eventually won 4-2 on penalties.
But alongside his goals, Messi also created a joint-match-high three chances, had eight touches in the opposition box, and attempted five shots (four on target) in a truly unforgettable match-winning performance.
Can Messi do it again in New Jersey?
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