Benatia challenges Messi and Rodri’s places in Ballon d’Or top five

Former Morocco captain Mehdi Benatia has questioned the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings, saying Lionel Messi’s fifth-place finish and Rodri’s fourth-place position were not deserved.

The award was won by Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who claimed the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe finished second, while Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal was third.

Messi, the Inter Miami forward, was placed fifth, one position behind Barcelona midfielder Rodri. Benatia, who previously played for Juventus and Bayern Munich, criticised both selections.

Speaking about Messi in comments reported by Foot Mercato, Benatia said: “You spend the entire year in Miami and then finish the season in fifth place? Have European football fans seen Messi more than Olise?”

The former Morocco international acknowledged Messi’s performances at the World Cup, but argued they were not enough to justify his position in the final standings.

“It is true that he was incredible at the World Cup, and the whole team plays for him,” Benatia said. “All respect to him, because he is around our age. But how can you tell me that Messi is fifth?”

Messi’s fifth-place ranking came despite Benatia’s view that his limited time in Miami should count against him when compared with players who featured more consistently in European football.

Benatia also questioned Rodri’s place among the leading contenders, pointing to the Barcelona midfielder’s limited involvement during the campaign.

“How can he be fourth when he only played for four months throughout the season?” he said.

The comments focused on the final positions behind Kane, who topped the vote ahead of Mbappe and Yamal. Benatia’s criticism centred specifically on the rankings of Messi and Rodri, rather than on the identity of the winner.

The former Morocco captain’s assessment also raised the question of whether achievements at the World Cup should carry greater weight than a player’s performances and availability across the full club season. However, his remarks remained focused on the two positions he believed did not reflect the players’ involvement during the year.