The numbers tell a contrasting story. Rodri finished with zero goals, zero assists and one Man of the Match award across eight matches, though he created 11 chances.
Messi, by comparison, scored eight goals, provided four assists, created 25 chances, completed 25 successful dribbles and picked up five Man of the Match awards in the same number of games.
Other notable candidates include Kylian Mbappe, who ended the tournament as Golden Boot winner, scoring 10 goals and becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer, while Jude Bellingham was instrumental in England’s bronze medal finish.
Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
