A monumental statue of Pelé is unveiled in Guadalajara

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) surprised by anticipating FIFA voting and naming Lionel Messi as the Best Player of the 2026 World Cup. The decision, published on its website, generated debate because Argentina lost the final to Spain.

Why Messi?

The IFFHS applied its overall performance index, a data-based methodology that weights games, goals, assists and impact in knockouts. Messi played in all seven matches of the tournament, accumulating 626 minutes, scoring 8 goals and giving 4 assists, for a direct participation in 12 goals. “The numbers that support this recognition are extraordinary by any criterion,” says the official text.

The recognition sparked controversy among fans and specialists, who consider that it is not deserved since he was not a champion. Rodri, winner of the Ballon d’Or, stood out in the Spanish team. For the IFFHS, however, the verdict is unequivocal: Messi’s campaign was the most impressive of the tournament.

Criticism of La Liga towards FIFA

The president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, considered on Tuesday that Gianni Infantino should resign as president of FIFA. According to Tebas, the Swiss leader is “destroying the football industry” by expanding international competitions. It is not the first time that Tebas criticizes Infantino for the congestion of the calendar and for evaluating the possibility of expanding the 2030 men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.

“Increasing the number of teams does not make sense. The football industry is not just the World Cup, which is the most important event. But not everything can revolve around the World Cup,” Tebas told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Regarding Infantino’s continuity, he was forceful:

“In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up. However, he has the support of the system and the federations, so there is not much more to add. This is the system and it is rotten from the roots.”

CONMEBOL presented an official proposal for the 2030 World Cup, which will already be the largest with six host countries on three continents, to include 64 teams. Tebas insisted that the priority must be different:

“It is the national competition that sustains this sport. They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and in which a minority of players participate.”

The Spanish leader also attacked the hydration breaks implemented in the recent World Cup. Although they were introduced to mitigate the heat at venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, critics point out that they broke the rhythm of the game and allowed tactical adjustments. Thebes was direct:

“Hydration breaks are a lie. We have them in La Liga, but only when it’s really hot. Here, the fields in Dallas, Los Angeles and Atlanta had air conditioning. It was a publicity break.”

Infantino already announced his candidacy for a fourth term in April. Voting for the period 2027–2031 will take place on March 18 in Morocco.

Worldwide recognition

Julián Quiñones’ performance in the World Cup has generated international attention. With four goals scored, the Mexican forward became the first player from the country to be considered for the ideal eleven of the tournament organized by FIFA.

His performance has placed him on the radar of the competition, surpassing established figures. Voting for the Dream XI is open on the football governing body’s official site.

High rivals

Accessing that equipment will not be easy. Quiñones competes on the forward list with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. The fans are the ones who choose, through their vote, the footballers who will form the ideal lineup of the competition.

How to vote

To support Julián Quiñones, fans must enter the FIFA portal, go to the Dream XI section and log in with their account (or create one if they do not have one). Then they must assemble their eleven respecting the established formation, select Quiñones among the nominated forwards and send the vote. In this way, the Mexican will aspire to a place in the ideal team of the tournament.