Ronaldo is all-time favourite; dont mind Spain or Argentina winning: Sindhu

2 min readJul 20, 2026 04:16 AM IST

France's Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Kylian Mbappe won back to back Golden Boots after the French sensation topped the goal-scoring charts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals. He pipped closest rival Lionel Messi who could not score or assist in the final vs Spain, ending the tournament with 8 goals. This was also the second straight time Mbappe had won the Golden Boot over Messi, with the French player winning the prize in Qatar as well with 7 goals, one more than the Argentinian. The other awards were swept by the World Cup winning Spanish team as goalkeeper Unai Simon won the Golden Glove after getting beat only once the entire tournament while midfielder Rodri was adjudged the player of the tournament and awarded the Golden Ball. Defender Pau Cubarsí was elected as the best young player.Who are the top scorers at the 2026 World Cup? Kylian Mbappe – France: 10 goals Lionel Messi – Argentina: 8 goals Jude Bellingham – England: 7 goals Erling Haaland – Norway: 7 goals Ousmane Dembele – France: 6 goals Other awards: FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Glove winner: Unai Simon (Spain) FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Ball winner: Rodri (Spain) FIFA World Cup 2026 Young Player of the tournament: Pau Cubarsí (Spain) What happened in the final Spain needed an extra-time goal by substitute Ferran Torres to edge past 10-man defending champions Argentina 1-0 to win the ⁠World ​Cup on Sunday. Torres broke the deadlock early in the second half of extra time, ​firing ​home on the ⁠rebound to give the European champions their second ‌World Cup title.

Argentina were down to 10 men when Enzo Fernandez was dismissed with a second booking in second-half stoppage time.

⁠The Argentines ⁠were toothless in attack and did not have ⁠a ‌shot on or ​off target for 115 ‌minutes. At 65 years old, Spain’s Luis de ‌la Fuente ​became ​the ​oldest World Cup-winning coach. Argentina’s 39-year-old captain Lionel ​Messi became only the ⁠second player to feature in three World Cup finals and ‌also ⁠the oldest outfield player to feature in a ​final.

3 min readJul 19, 2026 09:24 PM IST

Sindhu noted that the long wait for a title had made her careful and even disbelieving when she was on 21-17, 20-17, a point away. (BWF/Badminton Photo)

PV Sindhu might be using all the data points on loading, in-game metrics and recovery, but she said she prioritized the very human – simple interaction with her coach, as she returned to title winning ways at the Japan Open. It was a ‘waited and wanted’ title, she said. “Training can go up and down because one day you train hard. Next day you might feel tired. It’s important to talk to my coach and know why it’s happening and strategise,” said the Super 750 winner in an interaction facilitated by BAI. Sindhu cannily noted that while tech and data was useful, she wouldn’t let hard cold numbers push her into a negative mindset.Speaking to Indian media after her win, Sindhu noted that the long wait for a title had made her careful and even disbelieving when she was on 21-17, 20-17, a point away. “Even after the challenge, I couldn’t believe I’d won because it was almost after 2 years,” she said of getting on top step of the podium. For someone known for her unfailing fitness for years early on, even the smallest niggles could turn “irritating,” she noted. “It was a tough journey. Niggles took time. I came back. Got injured again. After injury, you doubt yourself, wonder if you will play at 100% again. It can get emotionally draining and mentally low,” she said. Yamaguchi, despite 30 faceoffs remains a tricky opponent. “We know each other’s games, we play a lot. But I need to be prepared. The slightest chance you give her, once she starts, she will take many points and find her rhythm.” Sindhu made sure she was consistent in her attack and made fewest unforced errors. When asked if she was close to beating An Se-young, Sindhu noted, “Last two times, i couldve taken a set. Smallest things matter. Every shot selection matters,” she said. Her hunger was intact. “Yes this title gives me relief, but there are so many tournaments to win,” the elite athlete who goes up to World No 7, said.Story continues below this ad On the 15×3 format, Sindhu said she was cognizant of the fact that even if matches were to get smaller, the intensity of every point would increase. She also added shuttlers now needed an all-round game with half smashes, drops, net and clears not just a smashing attack. Her return to top tier wins however had been focused inward. So even the twars shed were preceded by self belief where she told herself, “It was not over yet.” The Japan title will be easy to remember as the FIFA final date. “I’m OK with either Spain or Argentina winning. Both are playing well. My all-time favourite is Cristiano, unfortunately he lost,” Sindhu said.

‘Ronaldo is all-time favourite; don’t mind Spain or Argentina winning’: Sindhu The Indian Express

'Spain will win easily': Ronaldo makes bold Argentina prediction before World Cup final The Times of India