Beckham says Messi should win record ninth Ballon d’Or

David Beckham believes Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d’Or for a record ninth time, despite Harry Kane being among the leading candidates for this year’s award.

The winner will be announced in London on 26 October, with Kane’s case strengthened by a prolific season for Bayern Munich and England. The striker scored 73 goals in 61 appearances during the campaign.

Beckham, however, has backed Messi after the Argentine’s influential performances at the 2026 World Cup and his continued success with Inter Miami.

Messi scored eight goals as Argentina reached the World Cup final, where they were beaten by Spain. Beckham said the forward’s contribution was particularly impressive given that he was 39 at the tournament.

“When you see him do things like this, when you see him have the World Cup that he’s had, it’s not luck that he’s being considered for the Ballon d’Or again,” Beckham said on Apple TV.

“He was probably the best player in the tournament. He had an incredible year last year.

“He came into that tournament, 39 years old, to affect a World Cup and every game the way he did. That’s special. There’s no one at 39 that’s doing that and doing it at that level.

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

Messi has also continued to produce at club level since joining Inter Miami in 2023.

He scored the opening goal and set up Casemiro for the second as Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0 in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday. The goal took Messi to 100 for the MLS club.

The result delivered Inter Miami’s first Campeones Cup title and added to the club’s first MLS Cup triumph last year.

Beckham, who is a co-owner of Inter Miami, recognised the quality of the competition for the award. He named Kane alongside Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham among the leading contenders.

“When you’re talking about Leo, I’m his biggest supporter,” the former England captain added.

Casemiro, who scored from Messi’s corner against Cruz Azul, also supported his team-mate’s claim.

“He’s still the best,” the Brazilian said. “He proved it at the World Cup and he’s still proving it in the MLS.”

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

He will now compete with Kane, Mbappe, Bellingham and other leading names when the 2026 winner is announced later this year.