Inter Miami co-owner and former England captain David Beckham has backed Lionel Messi to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying the Argentine star deserves the prestigious individual award despite being 39 years old.
Beckham made the comments after Messi helped Inter Miami defeat Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the 2026 Campeones Cup on Wednesday.
Messi opened the scoring with a header before playing a role in Casemiro’s second-half goal, helping Inter Miami secure another trophy. The goal also marked his 100th for the Major League Soccer club since joining in 2023.
Speaking after the match, Beckham praised Messi’s continued performances at the highest level and pointed to his contribution to Argentina’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Beckham, Messi’s performances at the age of 39 make his Ballon d’Or case particularly remarkable.
Messi, who has already won the award a record eight times, is among the 30 players shortlisted for this year’s prize. He is seeking a ninth title, which would further extend his record.
The Argentine enjoyed a strong World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals and providing four assists as Argentina reached the final. He subsequently announced his retirement from international football.
Beckham’s endorsement comes as Messi faces competition from several high-profile players, including Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, among others.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, when the winner will be announced.
