Ballon d’Or 2026: He deserves it – Beckham names award winner

Former England international, David Beckham, has named Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi as the player who should win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

According to Beckham, the Argentine forward deserves the Ballon d’Or because of his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi was among the 30 players nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and the winner will be announced in October.

“When you see him do things like this, when you see him have the World Cup that he’s had, there is no one at 39 that is doing that, and doing it at that level,” Beckham said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

“He deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it.”

Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists during the 2026 World Cup as he helped Argentina reach the final, where they were beaten by Spain.