Lionel Messi is still in the spotlight at 39 years old and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has now backed the Argentine superstar to win the Ballon d’Or 2026. Beckham believes Messi’s performance at the World Cup and his success in Major League Soccer also show that the veteran forward is able to compete with the best players in the world.
Messi’s place among the Ballon d’Or nominees is a result of another remarkable season in his career. He was 39 years old when he was one of the key players in the World Cup that Argentina won and scored eight goals and made four assists in the tournament.
Messi’s longevity continued on the World Cup campaign. Messi continues to play a key role for Argentina even as many footballers disappear from international football, or experience the biggest drop-off at that age. His performances made him one of the main talking points in the Ballon d’Or debate.
Messi retired from international football but his performances at club level have kept him in line for the coveted individual award. Inter Miami has also helped in his case and the Argentine is still scoring goals and making big plays in MLS.
One of his most recent successes was with Inter Miami when he scored his 100th goal for the MLS side. Messi made the goal and the MLS side beat the Mexican side Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup at Nu Stadium in Florida. That he was able to reach the mark again proved his influence since he moved to American football.
Beckham, who played 115 times for England during his international career, was full of praise for Messi after the performance. Speaking on Apple TV, the Inter Miami co-owner said Messi’s Ballon d’Or consideration was not a matter of luck and pointed to his World Cup campaign as evidence of his continued quality.
Messi was one of the most impressive players at the tournament and his ability to influence games at 39 was one of the reasons why he was so successful, Beckham said. The former England midfielder said Messi’s age makes his performances even more remarkable, adding that there’s no other player at 39 making the same impact.
Beckham then made his position on the Ballon d’Or clear: Messi should win the award. His comments come as the Argentine faces competition from several prominent names in world football, including Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Kane and Mbappe continue to be the top goalscorers in European football and Bellingham is also as popular as one of the young players on the international stage. Messi is going to have a big field in the race for the individual honour.
🚨 David Beckham talks in awe about Messi and backs him for the Ballon d’Or. pic.twitter.com/etLeWDw2G2
— Johnny Cortes (@johnnycortes) September 17, 2026
Beckham made it clear that he is still behind Messi. Beckham has watched Messi work on the pitch and off of it as co-owner of Inter Miami as well. Messi has helped the club to become more popular and a big deal in American soccer by being part of the game.
The Ballon d’Or is traditionally awarded on the basis of individual performances and achievements in that year, and Messi’s World Cup campaign and club performances were key to his bid. His still successful performance is also the reason for speculation about how much longer top footballers can still perform.
Messi would also have another Ballon d'Or to add to an already impressive list of individual awards. He has won the prize several times during his career and is still constantly in the conversation around the best footballer in the world.
Messi still has not yet won the 2026 prize, but Beckham’s endorsement adds another high-profile voice to his case. With Kane, Mbappe, Bellingham and other top contenders also in the mix, the Ballon d’Or race is going to be very interesting and fans are waiting to see who is going to win it.
