According to FIFA rankings cited by NDTV, Messi does not top the World Cup 2026 performer list. In one report, the outlet says Messi ranks second, with Kylian Mbappé in third. A separate NDTV piece also reiterates that neither Messi nor Mbappé holds the No. 1 position, and adds that Erling Haaland is not No. 1 either. In both accounts, Cristiano Ronaldo is listed very low on the rankings, with one report placing him at 79th. The coverage links these rankings to the start of the World Cup 2026 knockout stage, framing them as a sign of performance standing as teams move into more decisive matches. The reports do not describe the specific criteria behind the rankings in detail, but they present the player placements as official FIFA ranking outcomes associated with World Cup 2026 performance. Overall, the sources consistently agree on Messi’s position (No. 2), Mbappé’s position (No. 3), and Ronaldo’s ranking (79th), while also stating that the top spot is held by a player other than those named.