Miami’s football project has always carried the glow of Lionel Messi, but David Beckham believes the Argentine’s latest international campaign has put him back into a wider continental conversation: the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Messi, now 39, is not among the leading names being discussed for the award after Argentina were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final. Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal have emerged as stronger early contenders, ahead of figures such as Rodri, Ousmane Dembélé and Fabián Ruiz.
Yet Beckham, the former Real Madrid midfielder and Inter Miami co-owner, feels Messi’s age and Argentina’s defeat in the final should not obscure the scale of his contribution. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains the most decorated player in the history of the prize, and his club coach Kily González has also backed his case.
Beckham pointed to Messi’s showing in Wednesday’s Campeones Cup final as further evidence that his influence has not diminished. “When you watch him play as he did on Wednesday in the Campeones Cup final, and then look at the World Cup he had, it is no surprise that he is again among the Ballon d’Or candidates,” he said.
For Beckham, Messi stood above the field across the World Cup despite Argentina falling at the last hurdle against Spain. “He was probably the best player at the tournament,” he added. “He is 39 and his impact in every match was enormous. It is extraordinary. He deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or and, in my view, he should win it.”
