With only two matches left at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the race for the tournament’s best player award is almost over. For me, Lionel Messi is the clear favourite to win the Golden Ball.

The Argentina captain has once again shown why he is one of football’s greatest players. He has led his team to the World Cup final with outstanding performances, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.

Messi has been involved in most of Argentina’s goals during the tournament and has stepped up in important matches. His leadership, creativity and ability to decide games have made him the standout player of the competition.

Spain midfielder Rodri is also among the leading contenders. He has been the driving force in Spain’s midfield, helping his side reach the final while playing a key role in one of the tournament’s strongest defensive records.

France captain Kylian Mbappe has also enjoyed another brilliant World Cup. The forward has scored eight goals and added three assists, leading France’s attack before their semi-final exit. He still has one more chance to impress in the third-place play-off against England.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has also strengthened his reputation with another excellent tournament. His six goals, energy and influence in midfield were vital in England’s run to the semi-finals.

Other players who have impressed include Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Mikel Oyarzabal and Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal, who have all produced memorable performances during the competition.

Despite the quality of the other contenders, my choice remains Messi. He has combined goals, assists, leadership and match-winning displays better than anyone else at this World Cup.

If Argentina complete their title defence in the final against Spain, I believe Messi will fully deserve to be named the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner as the tournament’s best player.

Terence Crawford would have been open to rematching Canelo Alvarez but, due to their original contract, a second encounter was firmly “off the table”.

The pair collided for Canelo’s undisputed crown last September, with ‘Bud’ securing a unanimous decision victory after moving up two weight classes.

Due to the size disparity, many considered Crawford a clear underdog against the Mexican, who had remained unbeaten since losing to Dmitry Bivol in 2022.

As it happened, though, Crawford managed to dethrone the long-reigning super-middleweight king and, in doing so, became a three-division undisputed champion.

The American then announced his retirement a few months later, despite rumours of an immediate rematch between the two future Hall of Famers.

There was also talk of a potential clash with Janibek Alimkhanuly which, at the time, would have offered Crawford the chance to become a six-division world champion.

Regarding Canelo, the 38-year-old told The Breakfast Club that he would only have fought him again if there had been a rematch clause in the contract

“Canelo [rematch] was off the table. There was no rematch clause. If the rematch clause was in the contract then I would have honoured that.”

Crawford went on to admit that he was intrigued by a move to middleweight, but only if it involved an undisputed showdown.

This plan was scuppered, however, after Alimkhanuly, the then-IBF and WBO champion, failed a doping test ahead of his three-belt unification match with Erislandy Lara.

If the winner of Alimkhanuly-Lara had faced WBC champion Carlos Adames, then perhaps Crawford would have considered remaining in the sport.

Star India batter Rohit Sharma seemingly addressed the growing speculation surrounding his ODI future, brushing aside the ‘outside chatter’ ahead of the series decider against England at Lord’s. A viral video has been doing the rounds on social media where Rohit can be seen chatting with India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, apparently telling him that the outside chatter does not concern them. Reports had emerged on social media during the second ODI in Cardiff that the series-decider against England at Lord’s could be Rohit’s final game for India in the format.

The rumours spread like wildfire, until BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rubbished the claims, saying that the Lord’s ODI would not be Rohit’s last in the format.

When some members of the Indian team arrived for practice at Lord’s, Rohit was seen engaged in conversation with Kotak, playing down the growing speculation.

“Hum log ko bahar kya chal raha hai, us se humko kya (We have nothing to do with what is going on outside),” Rohit can be heard as saying in the video.

Rohit Sharma Dekho yeh sb yhha khada hai “bahar kya chal raha hai ussya hamara kya lena dena”

ROHIT FOR 2027 WC#RohitSharma #odiworldcup2027 pic.twitter.com/cR4p52AS3Q

— THE LLORD (@BlueBloodcric) July 18, 2026

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Sources had told NDTV that some members of the selection committee had informed Rohit that they no longer saw him in the scheme of things before the start of the Afghanistan series last month.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir was also kept in the loop during the discussions between the selectors and Rohit.

However, Rohit was selected for the Afghanistan series, as well as the England series, after the former India captain had approached the top brass of the BCCI.

One of India’s greatest ODI batters, Rohit has amassed more than 11,700 runs in the format and played a pivotal role in India’s run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final before leading the side to the 2025 Champions Trophy title. 

Although Shubman Gill took over as ODI captain after that triumph, Rohit remains a senior figure in the batting line-up and a key member of India’s plans.

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Rohit Sharma plays a shot during 2nd ODI against England. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has thrown his weight behind Rohit Sharma amid growing scrutiny over the veteran opener’s form, insisting there are “no worries” and expressing confidence that the former skipper will soon rediscover his rhythm in English conditions.Speaking ahead of Sunday’s series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord’s, Morkel dismissed concerns over Rohit’s scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches, saying the challenging conditions for opening batters have made life difficult throughout the series.

Morkel backs Rohit’s experience and composure

With speculation intensifying over Rohit’s ODI future ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Morkel highlighted the opener’s experience and the calming influence he brings to India’s batting unit.“It is hard work with a new ball up front. We have seen that in the entire series. The ball is moving around. So batting up front, it is not easy. No doubt Rohit will work it out,” Morkel said.“He has done it in the past. He is experienced and he just brings that calmness to the batting line-up. So, without a doubt, no worries and concerns at all with the way he is going about things,” he added.His remarks come after Rohit’s modest returns in the opening two ODIs reignited debate over whether India should begin planning beyond the veteran opener with just a year remaining before the next 50-over World Cup.

Batting unit told to adapt quicker at Lord’s

While defending Rohit, Morkel acknowledged that India’s batting as a whole needs improvement after failing to capitalise on a strong platform in the second ODI.Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer had laid the foundation, but the middle order could not accelerate as India finished with a below-par 233, allowing England to level the series with a four-wicket victory.Morkel advised India’s batters to respect the conditions at Lord’s before looking to dominate.“I think for them it is just to sum up the conditions. We have seen of late that it can be a tricky surface here at Lord’s. So maybe give yourself that extra five to 10 balls just to get used to the pace of the surface,” he said.He added that India’s experienced top and middle order know how to build partnerships and stressed that sustained stands with both bat and ball would be key in the decider.

Middle-over wickets remain India’s biggest bowling concern

Despite praising the fast bowlers for their effort in the previous game, Morkel admitted India still need to become more effective in breaking partnerships during the middle overs.He said the pace attack had executed plans well, particularly with Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar using extra bounce effectively, but acknowledged that England’s Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 99, showed the value of denying the opposition easy passages through the innings.“It is crucial to get those wickets in the middle phase. We will keep working on ways to find those breakthroughs,” Morkel said, while also cautioning against overloading bowlers with technical advice before a crucial game.

Star India batter Rohit Sharma will be in focus as the visitors take on England in the third and final ODI at Lord’s on Sunday, with the series tied at 1-1. During the second ODI, reports claimed that the series-decider could be Rohit’s last game for India in the format, but BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia quashed the rumours. Saikia confirmed that Rohit will play for India as long as he is in the scheme of things for the selectors. A video has been doing the rounds on the eve of the clash, showing Rohit having a laugh with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the other members of the support staff on the famous balcony at Lord’s.

In the clip, Gambhir can be seen making some hand gestures, drawing laughs from Rohit and the rest of the support staff. The video was shared by Star Sports on the eve of the clash.

Locked in, but enjoying the moment #RohitSharma and #GautamGambhir share a laugh on the Lord’s balcony before India take the field for the series-deciding ODI. #ENGvIND 3rd ODI SUN, 19th JULY, 2:30 PM on JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/FUCQX0HxTa

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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 18, 2026

The lighthearted moment also follows a recent report claiming that Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have been sharing a strained relationship with Rohit.

Rohit’s current form, which has yielded just 241 runs in eight innings at an average of 30.12 and a strike rate of 88.60, has failed to convince some selectors, who no longer want to persist with the former captain.

Sources had told NDTV that some members of the selection committee had informed Rohit that they no longer saw him in the scheme of things before the start of the Afghanistan series last month.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir was also kept in the loop during the discussions between the selectors and Rohit.

However, Rohit was selected for the Afghanistan series, as well as the England series, after the former India captain had approached the top brass of the BCCI.

But, with Rohit managing scores of just 11 and 26 in the first two ODIs against England, the group of selectors had to reiterate their stance to the veteran opener, who is desperate to prolong his career.

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