World Cup 2026 best players ranked: Is Kylian Mbappe or Lionel Messi number one?

The 2026 World Cup volition beryllium remembered arsenic a tourney wherever football's biggest stars delivered connected the grandest stage, caller heroes emerged and unforgettable stories were written into the cloth of the game.

For the archetypal clip successful the competition's history, 48 nations battled for football's top prize, and the expanded format proved its worthy arsenic respective debutants and emerging nations showcased they belonged among the elite alternatively than simply making up the numbers.

Spain yet lifted the trophy aft edging past Argentina 1-0 successful the final, portion England claimed 3rd spot with a breathtaking 6-4 triumph implicit France successful 1 of the astir exhilarating contests of this edition's World Cup.

The tourney was not without its stock of contention either, with Egypt near incensed by a bid of contentious refereeing decisions, portion the extravagant half-time amusement astatine the last divided sentiment among supporters and pundits alike.

Yet, erstwhile the particulate settled, the 2026 World Cup belonged to the players whose brilliance transcended tactics, unit and expectation.

Sports Mole ranks the 10 standout performers who illuminated football's top stage.

1) Lionel Messi - Argentina 

The heartbreak of Argentina's last decision to Spain should not overshadow Lionel Messi's bonzer World Cup, which ranks among the finest idiosyncratic campaigns the tourney has ever witnessed.

Much similar Diego Maradona successful 1986, Messi inspired his federation astir single-handedly, finishing with 8 goals and 4 assists, though those numbers hardly seizure the power helium wielded each clip helium stepped onto the pitch.

At 39, the erstwhile Barcelona talisman whitethorn nary longer person the explosive acceleration of his younger years, but his intelligence, imaginativeness and flawless execution erstwhile again demonstrated that existent greatness transcends age.

2) Kylian Mbappe - France 

Kylian Mbappe further cemented his spot among football's all-time World Cup greats by becoming the archetypal subordinate to triumph the Golden Boot connected 2 abstracted occasions aft finishing arsenic the tournament's starring scorer successful 2026.

The Real Madrid superstar struck 10 goals and supplied 4 assists, narrowly finishing up of Messi successful a captivating contention for the competition's apical scorer award.

Having besides claimed the Golden Boot successful Qatar 4 years earlier, Mbappe ended the tourney with an astonishing 22 World Cup goals, making him the starring scorer successful the competition's history.

3) Rodri - Spain 

Rodri silenced immoderate lingering doubters by adding the 1 large honour missing from his glittering postulation arsenic helium guided Spain to World Cup glory.

Already a Ballon d'Or winner, European champion, Nations League winner, four-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner, the Spanish midfielder completed 1 of football's astir decorated CVs by lifting the biggest prize of them all.

The 30-year-old's outstanding performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, portion helium besides became conscionable the 4th men's subordinate to triumph the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and Ballon d'Or, joining Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer and Zinedine Zidane successful an exclusive club.

4) Jude Bellingham - England 

England produced arguably their finest World Cup run since 1966, yet bowing retired to Argentina successful the semi-finals aft a hard-fought 2-1 defeat.

Jude Bellingham was the driving unit down the Three Lions' memorable run, contributing 7 goals and 1 assist, portion his all-round displays underlined wherefore helium is regarded arsenic 1 of the world's finest midfielders.

The Real Madrid prima scored doubly successful England's thrilling 3-2 triumph implicit Mexico earlier pursuing it up with different brace successful the 2-1 occurrence against Norway, delivering connected the biggest signifier erstwhile his state needed him most.

5) Michael Olise - France 

After a sensational 2025-26 run with Bayern Munich, Michael Olise arrived astatine the World Cup brimming with assurance and carried that signifier seamlessly onto the planetary stage.

The French playmaker became the originative heartbeat of Didier Deschamps's side, finishing the tourney with a competition-high 7 assists - 3 much than the next-best provider, Martin Odegaard.

His subdued show successful the semi-final decision to Spain was the lone blemish connected an different outstanding run that firmly established him among the tournament's elite performers.

6) Erling Haaland - Norway 

Making his long-awaited World Cup debut, Erling Haaland showcased precisely wherefore helium is regarded arsenic 1 of the world's astir feared centre-forwards.

The Norway striker finished with 7 goals, combining his trademark carnal dominance with ruthless finishing to torment defences passim the tournament.

His standout show came successful the memorable 2-1 triumph implicit Brazil, wherever helium struck doubly to destruct 1 of the pre-tournament favourites, and fixed his age, determination is each crushed to judge galore much World Cup goals volition follow.

7) Pau Cubarsi - Spain 

Pau Cubarsi was a deserving recipient of the Young Player of the Tournament grant aft playing a pivotal relation successful Spain's historical antiaircraft campaign.

La Roja conceded conscionable erstwhile successful 8 matches to registry the champion antiaircraft grounds successful World Cup history, with the teenage centre-back emerging arsenic the cornerstone of that singular achievement.

Still lone 19, the Barcelona defender displayed exceptional composure, positioning and maturity passim the tournament, reinforcing his increasing estimation arsenic Europe's brightest young defender.

8) Harry Kane - England 

Fresh from a singular 61-goal play for Bayern Munich, Harry Kane carried his prolific signifier into the World Cup, scoring six times for England.

The Three Lions skipper made an emphatic commencement with a brace against Croatia earlier repeating the feat successful the Round of 32 triumph implicit DR Congo.

Although helium was incapable to find the nett against Norway and Argentina successful the closing stages of the tournament, Kane remained instrumental to England's tally to the semi-finals done his leadership, question and all-round attacking play.

9) Pedro Porro - Spain 

Spain's antiaircraft solidity was the instauration of their World Cup triumph, and Pedro Porro was a cardinal fig successful 1 of the tournament's astir formidable backlines.

The right-back opened his relationship successful the 3-0 Round of 32 triumph implicit Austria earlier delivering 1 of his finest displays successful the 2-0 semi-final triumph against France, wherever helium besides recovered the backmost of the net.

Porro rounded disconnected a memorable tourney with different assured show successful the last against Argentina, playing his portion arsenic Spain secured football's biggest prize.

10) Ousmane Dembele - France

Alongside Olise and Mbappe, 2025 Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele spearheaded 1 of the tournament's astir devastating attacks.

The France guardant opened his World Cup relationship successful a 3-0 triumph implicit Iraq earlier stealing the headlines with a brilliant hat-trick against Norway successful the knockout stages.

Dembele besides produced a stunning onslaught successful the quarter-final triumph implicit Morocco earlier adding different extremity against England successful the third-place playoff, capping an fantabulous tourney contempt France missing retired connected the final.