Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has firmly identified Lionel Messi as his favorite to claim the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Addressing reporters ahead of Wednesday’s LaLiga clash against Osasuna at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Simeone emphasized that Messi’s recent contributions to both his country and club leave no room for doubt regarding his candidacy.
Messi, now 39, secured his 17th Ballon d’Or nomination this year, marking a historic milestone as the first player to receive such recognition across a two-decade span, dating back to his debut nomination in 2006. His performance at the recent World Cup served as a primary justification for Simeone’s support. During the tournament, Messi played in all eight matches for Argentina as they reached the final, recording eight goals and four assists. Along the way, he became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick and established a record for consecutive matches scored in at the tournament.
Beyond his international success, Messi’s 2025 season with Inter Miami proved equally influential. He captained the side to their inaugural MLS Cup title while personally securing both the MVP award and the Golden Boot. Despite this impressive resume, competition remains fierce. The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in London on October 26, with the field including fellow former winners Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona’s 2024 recipient, Rodri.
Other prominent contenders include Kylian Mbappe, who secured the World Cup Golden Boot and top-scoring honors in both LaLiga and the Champions League; Harry Kane, who led Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga title while claiming the European Golden Shoe; and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who played a key role in his club’s LaLiga win and Spain’s World Cup victory. Despite this high-level competition, Simeone’s backing of the Argentine veteran remains unequivocal. The report also notes that without any doubt” – LaLiga giants’ manager explains why Lionel Messi deserves to win 2026 Ballon d’Or. The report also notes that the 39-year-old was nominated for the award for a 17th time this year after starring for club and country. The report also notes that simeone spoke to the media ahead of their LaLiga meeting with Osasuna at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday, September 16. The report also notes that he was clear with his answer, pointing to Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup performance as a factor, when asked to reveal his choice for the Ballon d’Or. The report also notes that as he rolled back the years effortlessly for Argentina, lionel Messi stunned the world in North America this summer. The report also notes that lionel Messi is one of only three nominees for this year’s award to have won it in the past.
