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Inter Miami co-owner and former England captain David Beckham believes Lionel Messi should win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, following another landmark performance from the Argentine superstar.
Lionel Messi’s extraordinary career continues to produce historic moments, and his latest achievement has prompted Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham to make a strong case for the Argentine to claim another Ballon d’Or.
Messi, 39, scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami on Wednesday and added an assist as the Major League Soccer side defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup for the first time.
The victory, contested between the champions of the United States and Mexico, provided another memorable night for a player whose career has already included a record eight Ballon d’Or awards.
Speaking after the match, Beckham said Messi’s performances at the 2026 World Cup and his continued form at club level make him deserving of serious consideration for this year’s award.
“He deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it,” Beckham said.
Messi’s remarkable 2026 World Cup
Messi played a central role in Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final, scoring eight goals and providing four assists during the tournament.
Argentina ultimately lost the final to Spain, but Messi added another remarkable statistic to his World Cup legacy.
His four assists took his career total in the competition to 12, with 10 coming during knockout-stage matches. That is more than any other player recorded in World Cup history.
Messi has also scored 21 World Cup goals, leaving him second on the all-time scoring list behind France forward Kylian Mbappé, who has 22.
A competitive Ballon d’Or shortlist
Messi is among the 30 players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with several of the world’s leading stars also competing for the prestigious individual award.
England has three players on the shortlist, including Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, alongside Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
Spain, meanwhile, has six players from its World Cup-winning squad included.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final before moving from Barcelona to PSG, is also among the nominees.
PSG have nine nominees from their Champions League-winning squad, excluding Torres, with reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé among them.
Real Madrid forwards Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are also nominated, while Arsenal defenders Gabriel and William Saliba make the list.
Messi reaches 100-goal milestone in Miami
Messi marked his 100th Inter Miami goal in spectacular fashion.
He opened the scoring in the 24th minute after heading in a cross from Luis Suárez.
The Argentine thought he had doubled Miami’s advantage after breaking through on goal, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
He still played a decisive role in the second goal.
Messi delivered the corner that former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro headed home in the 81st minute, securing Miami’s first-ever Campeones Cup.
The achievement adds another milestone to Messi’s increasingly influential spell in American football.
Casemiro praises Messi’s enduring influence
Casemiro, who scored Miami’s second goal, said the Argentine’s continued performances should be appreciated while fans still have the opportunity to watch him play.
“We have to enjoy this because we don’t know how long we’ll have it,” Casemiro said.
The Brazilian midfielder also praised Messi’s influence on football, saying his achievements remain extraordinary and that he continues to demonstrate his quality in both international football and MLS.
Ballon d’Or decision awaits
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on 26 October, as the prestigious award celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Messi’s nomination comes at another remarkable stage of his career, with the 39-year-old continuing to produce goals, assists and major moments despite being one of the oldest players on the shortlist.
Beckham’s endorsement adds another high-profile voice to the debate over who should succeed the previous winner.
Ultimately, the award will be decided when the final voting process is concluded — but Messi’s 2026 campaign has ensured that his name remains firmly at the centre of the conversation.
