Spain's Rodri has ignited a fierce debate by winning the World Cup Golden Ball for best player, leading his team to victory just two years after their European Championship triumph. His contributions helped Spain secure their second World Cup title, but his accolade raises questions, especially when compared to the performances of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham.

Despite finishing 18th in Sky Sports' Power Rankings, where Messi and Mbappe ranked first and second, Rodri's influence on the game was undeniable. He topped the charts for touches and was heavily involved in both offensive and defensive plays:

• Ranked 2nd for final third passes
• 15th in chances created
• Most tackles in the tournament
• Top four for possessions won in attacking and middle thirds

However, the data also reveals that while Rodri was a solid performer, he fell short in key metrics compared to Messi and Mbappe, who both had 18 top 10 finishes in various stats, with Messi delivering a standout hat-trick performance.

In other award news, Pau Cubarsi claimed the Young Player award, outperforming expectations, while Unai Simon secured the Golden Glove with seven clean sheets, despite making fewer saves than other goalkeepers.

The discussion continues as fans weigh in on whether Rodri truly deserved the Golden Ball, with opinions divided on the criteria for the award and the performances that led to Spain's success.