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Diego Simeone

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has backed Lionel Messi to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, pointing to the Argentine’s performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major reason for his view.

Simeone said Messi’s display at the tournament, despite being one of the oldest players competing, should keep him firmly in contention for the prestigious individual award.

The comments come as the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or enters its final stages, with several high-profile players competing for the honour.

Messi remains on the shortlist after another productive year that included his involvement with Argentina and his club career in Major League Soccer.

The Argentine was part of the national team’s 2026 World Cup campaign, an appearance that further added to his international record.

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Simeone’s backing places Messi among the players being discussed ahead of the announcement of this year’s winner.

However, the competition includes several younger stars who have produced significant performances for their clubs and national teams during the assessment period.

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe have emerged prominently in the Ballon d’Or debate. Yamal has pointed to his role in Spain’s World Cup success and Barcelona’s domestic campaign, while Mbappe has been recognised for his goalscoring performances.

Messi’s inclusion on the shortlist marks another appearance in a competition he has dominated for much of his career. He has previously won the award a record eight times.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner is scheduled to be announced in London on October 26.

Simeone’s comments therefore add to the growing public debate over which player should receive the award, although the final decision will be made through the Ballon d’Or voting process.

Recent assessments of the 2026 race have identified a broad field of contenders, reflecting performances across domestic leagues, European competitions and the World Cup.

Messi’s case has been strengthened in Simeone’s view by his ability to remain influential at an advanced stage of his career, while other contenders are being assessed on their own individual and team achievements.

The final result will depend on the established voting process and the performances considered for the award period.

The Traffic NG
Diego Simeone
Amarachi Ihesiulo
The Traffic NG

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