Lionel Messi's chances of winning the Golden Ball remain at 90.6% on Polymarket, even after Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the third-place match. The French forward's brace moved him ahead in the Golden Boot race, but the odds for the tournament's best player award barely budged.
Mbappe's Late Surge
Mbappe's two goals in the consolation match gave him a clear lead in the race for the Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer. He now sits atop the scoring chart with those two strikes. But the market for the Golden Ball — given to the best player of the tournament — still heavily favors Messi.
Assists Tie
Both Messi and Mbappe are tied on four assists each heading into the final. That stat could become a deciding factor if the Golden Ball vote is close. The final between Argentina and Spain will be the last chance for either player to make a statement.
What the Final Decides
Sunday's match will determine not only the world champion but also the individual awards. If Messi leads Argentina to victory, his Golden Ball odds could climb even higher. If Mbappe powers Spain to the title, the voting might shift. For now, the prediction market sees Messi as the near-certain winner.
