2026 Ballon d’Or: I’ll vote for him 100 times – Zidane picks player to win award

France legend Zinedine Zidane has said he would vote for Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Messi was included in the 30-man shortlist of nominees released by France Football on Tuesday.

The award recognises a year in which he led Miami to the MLS title, scoring 45 goals and providing 30 assists. 

The 39-year-old also guided Argentina to the final of the 2026 World Cup in North America, where they lost to Spain.

“I would vote for Messi 100 times,” Zidane said, according to Marca.

“I think people really don’t understand how incredible it is to still be among the best players in the world at 39 years old.”