Diego Simeone backs Lionel Messi for 2026 Ballon d'Or | OneFootball

Diego Simeone has thrown his support behind Lionel Messi for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, sidelining Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. According to Goal.com, the Atletico Madrid boss argues Messi's World Cup feats at 39 eclipse the field.

Speaking before Atletico's meeting with Osasuna, Simeone brushed aside alternative contenders. The discussion reignited after Yamal said he and Real Madrid forward Mbappe are the two best players in the world.

"Messi, without a doubt," Simeone told reporters. "After the World Cup he had, at the age he is, no doubt at all. Messi."

He highlighted Messi guiding Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they lost to Spain, and said longevity at 39 outweighs the claims of Yamal, Mbappe, Rodri, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembele.

Yamal has advanced his own case, citing Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and the World Cup with Spain. The reigning winner Dembele said, "It is going to stay in the hands of a PSG player. I’m a competitor, so it’s my goal to win it again."

This nomination is Messi's 17th appearance on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, one shy of Cristiano Ronaldo's 18, and he last won in 2023 for an eighth time. The 70th ceremony is set for 26 October in London, the first outside Paris, honouring 1956 winner Sir Stanley Matthews.

Source: Goal.com

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