David Beckham makes Ballon d'Or case for Lionel Messi after Campeones Cup triumph | OneFootball

By Justin Ruderman

Although Wednesday night's 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul is not technically part of Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or campaign, Inter Miami CF owner David Beckham still used the opportunity to make his case for the Argentine icon.

Beckham, a former world-class player in his own right who has won plenty of accolades himself throughout an illustrious career, knows what it means to be the best player in the world.

And in his mind, there's no question who that was for the past year.

"I think when you see him do things like this tonight, 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. "It's not luck because he was probably the best player in the tournament. He had an incredible year last year.

"He came into that tournament in the World Cup, and like you've just said, 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, he should win it.

"You've got great players there like Harry Kane, like Kylian [Mbappé], like Jude Bellingham and other players there, but you know when you're talking about Leo, I'm his biggest supporter."

Sensational season

Messi has already been awarded the Ballon d'Or a record eight times throughout his unparalleled career, but there's no doubt why Beckham believes that record should be extended to nine following Messi's 17th nomination for the award last week.

Over the past year, the Herons' No. 10 has led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup presented by Audi title, been crowned the first-ever back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP and guided Argentina to a second straight FIFA World Cup final while becoming the first player in history to start three World Cup finals.

During this summer's global showcase, as Beckham alluded to, Messi was among the best players in the tournament with 8g/4a. 

He similarly leads MLS in goals and goal contributions again in 2026 with 19g/13a as he chases a third consecutive MVP award.

"I still can't believe we have him here in Miami playing for our team," said Beckham.

"That’s why I go to training every day and watch him, and that's why I turn up and watch him every time possible because we all want to see Leo play forever, in all honesty."

Group consensus

Beckham wasn't the only Miami owner to praise Messi on the night, as managing owner Jorge Mas joined in on the celebrations to laud his team's captain.

"He's a competitive beast. He's a winner. He wants to win, win, win, win all the time," said Mas. "And if you watch him, I mean, what we witnessed in the World Cup was amazing.

"Obviously, he's had a summer of ups and downs and tragedies, etc. But to watch Leo tonight with that fire that still burns in him, when many thought it would potentially fade out, or he'd relax, or he'd take it easy. Trust me, I see and live it every day. His fire burns as brightly as when he wears the number 10 Argentina jersey in a World Cup game."

That passion was clear to see as Messi scored the 100th goal of his Herons' career to secure a record-extending 48th trophy of his incredible career on Wednesday night, his fourth in four seasons for Miami.

It was also the first Miami trophy for new Herons' head coach Cristian "Kily" González, who took the opportunity after his first game with the club to round out the argument for another Messi Ballon d'Or crown, having gone from playing alongside him on the Argentina national team to coaching him in Miami.

"Lionel is No. 1. There’s no one like him and I have no doubts that he should get the Ballon [d’Or]," said González.

"With his age and the World Cup he played, what he represents for everyone around the world, not just in soccer, but life values… it should be him."

HIGHLIGHTS: Inter Miami CF vs. Cruz Azul | September 16, 2026