All the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 individual award winners

By Mazola Molefe
18th December 2022

Not only did Argentina skipper Lionel Messi help guide the South Americans to their third-ever Fifa World Cup title, the little magician was also crowned the best player at the Qatar showpiece.

He scored twice in the six-goal thriller against reigning champions France, dragging the final all the way to extra-time and then a penalty shoot-out.

So, the individual accolades were always going to be dominated by the Albiceleste.

Best Young Player

Enzo Fernandez officially succeeded striker Kylian Mbappe with the award of the most eye-catching young player at the World Cup.

The Frenchman had clinched it in the previous edition four years prior in Russia and, at just 21 years old. the Benfica midfielder will now be on the radar of some big clubs across Europe.

Golden Glove

Another Argentine star walked to the podium to receive this accolade for being the best goalkeeper in Qatar.

Emiliano Martinez, who plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League, kept three decisive clean sheets, having conceded five, in seven matches.

And he stood out yet again in the penalty shout-out against France to decisively lead his country to glory at the showpiece on Sunday night.

Golden Boot

Mbappe truly earned this.

It’s not the trophy he would have wanted, but to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final will stay in the history books for decades to come.

The PSG talisman finished the tournament with eight goals from seven matches, dishing out a performance that could have very easily led to France becoming only the second team in history to retain the title.

He also etched his name into the history books by become the highest goal scorer in Fifa World Cup final history, with four goals to his name – having scored one in 2018 and three in 2022.

Golden Ball

Probably won’t seem like it now, but this was touch and go!

At some stage during the thrill-a-minute final Mbappe looked set to take it with his three goals, while Messi had kick started the debate earlier when he converted the penalty in the first half to give Argentina the lead.

In the end, the 35-year-old beat his PSG teammate to the Best Player of the World Cup award – and the main trophy itself – after he had lost the race for the Golden Boot.