<P> The Golden Ball award is presented to the best player at each FIFA World Cup finals , with a shortlist drawn up by the FIFA technical committee and the winner voted for by representatives of the media . Those who finish as runners - up in the vote receive the Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards as the second and third most outstanding players in the tournament respectively . The current award was introduced in the 1982 FIFA World Cup , sponsored by Adidas and France Football , though fifa.com also lists in their player articles as `` golden ball winners '' Kempes , Cruyff , Pelé , Bobby Charlton , Garrincha and Didi for 1978 , 1974 , 1970 , 1966 , 1962 and 1958 respectively . Barcelona is the only club whose players have won the Golden Ball a record 3 times ( Johan Cruyff in 1974 , Romário in 1994 , Lionel Messi in 2014 ) . </P>
<P> The Golden Ball award is presented to the best player at each FIFA World Cup finals , with a shortlist drawn up by the FIFA technical committee and the winner voted for by representatives of the media . Those who finish as runners - up in the vote receive the Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards as the second and third most outstanding players in the tournament respectively . The current award was introduced in the 1982 FIFA World Cup , sponsored by Adidas and France Football , though fifa.com also lists in their player articles as `` golden ball winners '' Kempes , Cruyff , Pelé , Bobby Charlton , Garrincha and Didi for 1978 , 1974 , 1970 , 1966 , 1962 and 1958 respectively . Barcelona is the only club whose players have won the Golden Ball a record 3 times ( Johan Cruyff in 1974 , Romário in 1994 , Lionel Messi in 2014 ) . </P>
what does the golden ball mean in the world cup
what does the golden ball mean in the world cup
the best player
the best player