Rodri's Golden Ball award sparks controversy: Argentine media call it a disgrace and a robbery - 8 goals and 4 assists lose to 0 goals and 0 assists

The World Cup is over, and Spain has won the trophy again after 16 years. Following the final, FIFA gave the Golden Ball to Rodri, not Messi, which aroused much debate. On July 21, Argentine media TyC released a long piece challenging the fairness of FIFA's decision.

The Argentine media wrote vehemently: "Awarding the Golden Ball to Rodri is almost a disgrace, once again showing FIFA's complete lack of sensitivity. It's not that Rodri isn't a good player, but simply because Messi is the soul of Argentina and this World Cup."

"At 39 years old, he illuminated the pitch with his genius and tears, filled the goals and the stadiums, and people from all nations came to witness this phenomenon of our era. Yet this time, Messi was robbed in the selection."

"If the criterion is to reward the winner, then Infantino and his team should be told that football is won by scoring goals, not by passing. Rodri not only failed to score in this World Cup: he made countless passes but none resulted in an assist."

In this World Cup, Rodri made 8 appearances without any goals or assists. Meanwhile, Messi, despite having no contribution in the final, recorded an impressive 8 goals and 4 assists in his 8 matches.

Moreover, Messi has become the all-time assist leader in World Cup history, and ranks second only to Mbappé on the all-time scoring list.