Miami’s Lionel Messi has received a forceful Ballon d’Or endorsement from David Beckham, with the Inter Miami co-owner arguing that the Argentina captain’s performances at 39 place him above the rest of the 2026 field.
David Beckham backs Lionel Messi for 2026 Ballon d’Or
Beckham believes Messi should add another individual honour to an already record-breaking collection after a season in which the forward continued to decide matches for Inter Miami and led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final.
The former England captain pointed to Messi’s physical sharpness as much as his technical quality, recalling a header won against one of the leading central defenders in the region. “He gets up for that header against one of the best centre-backs around here. Can you believe he can still do that at 39?” Beckham said.
For Beckham, the remarkable part is not simply that Messi remains a major figure in Major League Soccer, but that he is doing so at an age when few players can sustain elite influence. He said the Argentine’s ability to affect every match at the World Cup made his nomination entirely deserved.
“When you watch what he can do, and when you see the World Cup he had, it is no accident that he is in the Ballon d’Or conversation,” Beckham said. “He was probably the tournament’s best player.”
World Cup run strengthens Messi’s case
Messi guided Argentina all the way to the World Cup final in 2026, a campaign that helped put him among the 30 nominees for football’s leading individual prize. Beckham described the veteran forward’s impact across the tournament as exceptional.
“He had an incredible year,” Beckham said. “He arrived at that tournament aged 39 and made an impact in every game. That is something special.”
Messi is seeking to extend his own record after winning the Ballon d’Or eight times. His rivals include Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, but Beckham’s view is unequivocal.
“Nobody else at 39 is doing that at this level,” he said. “He deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or and, for me, he should win it.”
Beckham still struck by Messi’s presence in Miami
Beyond the award debate, Beckham said he remains amazed that Messi is playing for the Florida club. The Inter Miami co-owner admitted he regularly tries to attend training simply to watch the Argentina captain at work.
“I still cannot believe that we have him here in Miami, playing for our team,” Beckham said.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be revealed in London on 26 October, with Messi once more in contention for an honour he has made his own more often than any other player.
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David Beckham says Lionel Messi should win 2026 Ballon d’Or
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David Beckham has backed Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or after Argentina’s run to the World Cup final.
