local
Mbappé becomes first two-time Golden Boot winner and Spain wins player awards after World Cup title
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Associated Press, BRIAN MAHONEY , Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 19, 2026
· 4 min read
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé kept the Golden Boot award and Spain wouldn’t let Lionel Messi get anything else.Shortly after winning the World Cup title Sunday, the Spaniards claimed all three individual player awards, keeping Messi from leaving with any more personal hardware.Rodri ...
Key takeaway Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, Unai Simón won the Golden Glove for the top performance by a goalkeeper, and Pau Cubarsí won the Best Young Player Award, beating out fellow 19-year-old teammate Lamine Yamal.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
Atlanta soccer fans are likely abuzz with the latest World Cup news, particularly given the city's own growing soccer scene. The fact that Spain swept the individual player awards, including the Golden Ball, Golden Glove, and Best Young Player Award, may spark interesting discussions among local soccer enthusiasts about the team's strategy and player development. As the city continues to invest in its own soccer infrastructure, the achievements of teams like Spain can serve as a model for Atlanta's own soccer ambitions. Furthermore, the performance of veteran players like Lionel Messi, who was denied a record-extending third Golden Ball, may resonate with Atlanta's own sports fans who appreciate the value of experienced leadership in team sports. The World Cup's conclusion may also lead to increased interest in local soccer leagues and programs, potentially boosting participation and attendance in the Atlanta area.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé kept the Golden Boot award and Spain wouldn’t let Lionel Messi get anything else.Shortly after winning the World Cup title Sunday, the Spaniards claimed all three individual player awards, keeping Messi from leaving with any more personal hardware.Rodri ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press, BRIAN MAHONEY at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter