{"id":1449090,"date":"2026-07-16T10:46:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T09:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=outright_markets&#038;p=1449090"},"modified":"2026-07-16T10:46:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T09:46:23","slug":"world-cup-2026-golden-ball-odds-16-07","status":"publish","type":"outright_markets","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-2026-golden-ball-odds-16-07\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026 Golden Ball odds: Unstoppable Messi heavily favoured over Rodri for individual crown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The race for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-2026-outright-winner-odds-15-07\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026 World Cup<\/a> Golden Ball has narrowed to a decisive final peak. Bookmakers have all but crowned their winner before Sunday\u2019s spectacular showcase even kicks off.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Originally introduced at Spain 1982, the Golden Ball recognises the tournament&#8217;s most outstanding individual performer. Iconic Italian striker Paolo Rossi was the inaugural recipient after firing his country to glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>World Cup 2026 betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>World Cup 2026 betting offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since then, only the sport&#8217;s finest legends have claimed this prestigious prize. Argentina&#8217;s Lionel Messi remains the only player in football history to win it twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following a dramatic semi-final round, the market has experienced a colossal shift. Below are the latest odds ahead of the historic final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-latest-world-cup-2026-golden-ball-odds\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The latest World Cup 2026 Golden Ball odds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Player<\/th><th>Odds from Bet365<\/th><th>Odds from BetVictor<\/th><th>Odds from Paddy Power<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Lionel Messi (Argentina)<\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1\/8<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/betvictor?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1\/10<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/paddy-power?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1\/8<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rodri (Spain)<\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6\/1<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/betvictor?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6\/1<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/paddy-power?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6\/1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lamine Yamal (Spain)<\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">22\/1<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/betvictor?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">25\/1<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/betvictor?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">22\/1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)<\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">25\/1<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/betvictor?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">33\/1<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"\/en\/go\/paddy-power?q=gb-all-oum-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">25\/1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-who-will-win-the-golden-ball\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who will win the Golden Ball?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-lionel-messi-argentina\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lionel Messi (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/argentina-world-cup-2026-fixtures-players-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Argentina<\/a>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legendary playmaker is the massive 1\/8 favourite to claim an unprecedented third Golden Ball. Messi has been the standard for world-class consistency throughout this North American campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Inter Miami talisman currently leads the tournament scoring charts with eight goals. He also registered two vital assists during the semi-final triumph over England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if Argentina falls short in the final, Messi\u2019s historic individual achievements make him almost certain to collect the Player of the Tournament trophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-rodri-spain\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rodri (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/spain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spain<\/a>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The metronomic midfielder represents Spain&#8217;s absolute best chance of spoiling Messi\u2019s individual coronation. Priced at 6\/1, Rodri has acted as the tactical heartbeat for an incredibly fluid Spanish side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His unique ability to dictate the tempo of matches has guided La Roja seamlessly to Sunday&#8217;s final. Rodri&#8217;s superb defensive coverage and composure under pressure make him a darling of the technical panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dominant, winning performance in midfield on Sunday could see him mount a late charge for the crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-lamine-yamal-spain\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lamine Yamal (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/spain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spain<\/a>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the teenage prodigy has not quite reached his dizzying pre-tournament heights, his explosive pace remains a constant threat. Yamal has consistently served as Spain&#8217;s chief creative outlet this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Barcelona winger is fully fit for Sunday&#8217;s showpiece after recovering from a minor hamstring issue. A match-winning performance against Argentina could see the youngster swoop in for a podium place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-mikel-oyarzabal-spain\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mikel Oyarzabal (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/spain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spain<\/a>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oyarzabal has been Spain&#8217;s ultimate big-game saviour this summer. Step by step, the Real Sociedad forward has evolved into La Roja&#8217;s most clinical attacking weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His defining moment of the tournament came in Tuesday&#8217;s semi-final. Oyarzabal coolly slotted home a first-half penalty to send Spain on their way to a 2-0 win over France. Now sitting on five goals for the tournament, he has joined legends David Villa and Emilio Butragueno as Spain&#8217;s joint-highest scorer at a single World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<!-- Shortcode [read-more-wc] does not exist -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                    <h2 class=\"sq-heading-line\">Latest Odds<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/argentina-world-cup-2026-odds-19-07\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12100138\/3F0K0TB-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n   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href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 week ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/champions-league-outright-odds-qualification\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/17103849\/predictions_article-16x9-2026-07-17T103840.989-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Outright markets<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/champions-league-outright-odds-qualification\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Champions League 2026-27 odds: Favourites and frontrunners                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 week ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball has narrowed to a decisive final peak. Bookmakers have all but crowned their winner before Sunday\u2019s spectacular showcase even kicks off. Originally introduced at Spain 1982, the Golden Ball recognises the tournament&#8217;s most outstanding individual performer. Iconic Italian striker Paolo Rossi was the inaugural recipient after&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":427,"featured_media":1449118,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"World Cup 2026 Golden Ball","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Get the latest 2026 World Cup Golden Ball odds as Lionel Messi leads the betting market ahead of the final between Spain and Argentina.","footnotes":""},"squawka-category":[27631],"class_list":["post-1449090","outright_markets","type-outright_markets","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":true},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>World Cup 2026 Golden Ball odds: Unstoppable Messi heavily favoured over Rodri for individual crown | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta 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