Ovechkin goes against FIFA choice: “For me, Messi was the best
Alexander Ovechkin chooses Lionel Messi as the best player of the 2026 World Cup; FIFA awarded Rodri. Argentina lost the final 0–1 to Spain after extra time; Messi recorded eight goals and four assists.
Ovechkin goes against FIFA choice: “For me, Messi was the best
According to Championat.
Why this matters
Alexander Ovechkin's choice of Lionel Messi as the best player of the 2026 World Cup highlights the enormous impact the Argentine star had during the tournament. Although Messi did not receive the official award, his contribution with eight goals and four assists was crucial for Argentina, who lost the final to Spain. This raises questions about the criteria for individual awards in football, especially given Messi's achievements in the context of his team.
Key points
- Ovechkin goes against FIFA choice: “For me, Messi was the best.
- Alexander Ovechkin chooses Lionel Messi as the best player of the 2026 World Cup; FIFA awarded Rodri.
- Александр Овечкин назвал лучшего игрока ЧМ-2026, его выборне совпал с решением ФИФА - Чемпионат.
Alexander Ovechkin has made clear his personal choice for the best player of the 2026 World Cup: Lionel Messi. The Washington Capitals attacker stated in an interview on the FONBET YouTube channel that the Argentinian is at the top for him. “For me it's Messi,” he replied when asked who his player of the tournament was, after being told that the official choice went to Rodri.
Ovechkin's choice therefore deviates from the official price. The World Football Association crowned Spanish midfielder Rodri as the best player of the tournament, after a World Cup that ended with Spain's final victory over Argentina. In a thrilling match, the score was 0-1 after extra time, with which La Roja won the world title. Against that backdrop, it makes sense that a Spanish standout would receive the trophy, but Ovechkin focuses on Messi's individual impact throughout the tournament.
That impact was again great. Messi finished the 2026 World Cup with eight goals and four assists. He was decisive for Argentina in almost every phase of the tournament, which despite the final place ultimately had to accept Spain's supremacy in extra time. According to the statistics of the tournament, Messi was the first player to exceed the 20-goal mark at the largest national tournaments. Moreover, during this World Cup he was regarded as the best announcer and ranked alone at the top in terms of the number of matches played in the history of the global final tournament.
The appreciation of Ovechkin, himself an icon in ice hockey, underlines how much Messi's achievements also resonate outside the football world. It is not unusual for official price and public or personal preference to diverge; After all, the discussion about who is the 'best' affects both team results and individual class. Rodri was the stable heart of Spain and led his team to gold, while Messi continued to impress with numbers and moments. That tension fuels the debate, and Ovechkin's statement gives it a new emphasis.
For the broader World Cup picture, the final between Spain and Argentina once again confirms how thin the difference is at the top levelcan be. A single goal in extra time determined the fate of the world title. In the meantime, the legacy of this tournament continues to have an impact individually, with Messi's records as an extra chapter in an already impressive list of achievements. Whether, like the association, you choose Rodri or, like Ovechkin, you choose Messi: the 2026 World Cup once again provided fuel for discussions about greatness, impact and meaning in international football.
What's happening now
With the 2026 World Cup final behind us, the focus of both players and teams will now shift to the coming seasons and preparation for future competitions. It is important for Messi and Argentina to use this experience to come back stronger, while Spain can prepare to defend their title. Messi's performances will also influence his future at the club, especially in view of the coming seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score of the final between Argentina and Spain at the 2026 World Cup?
The final ended 0-1 after extra time in favor of Spain.
How many goals did Lionel Messi score during the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi has scored eight goals during the 2026 World Cup.
What was the impact of the final on the standings of the 2026 World Cup?
With the victory over Argentina, Spain captured the world title, while Argentina reached the final.
What is the next match for the Selección de Argentina?
The next match for the Selección de Argentina is not mentioned in the article.
Who was officially named the best player of the 2026 World Cup?
Rodri of Spain was officially named the best player of the 2026 World Cup.
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