Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham believes Lionel Messi should win his ninth Ballon d’Or after another outstanding year for club and country.
Harry Kane is reportedly the bookmakers’ favourite for the award after scoring 73 goals in 61 appearances for Bayern Munich and England last season.
However, Beckham has backed his fellow Inter Miami figurehead Messi, pointing to the Argentina captain’s performances at this summer’s World Cup.
Messi scored eight goals during the tournament and also helped Inter Miami win their first MLS Cup last year. He then played a key role as Miami won their first Campeones Cup on Wednesday night.
‘He should win it’
Speaking to Apple TV, Beckham said Messi’s form at the World Cup showed why he should be considered the leading candidate.
“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.
“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 Mbappe, like Jude Bellingham and other players there, but you know when you’re talking about Leo, I’m his biggest supporter,” he added.
Messi makes history for Miami
Messi opened the scoring in Wednesday’s Campeones Cup clash at Miami’s Nu Stadium, heading in a Luis Suarez cross in the 24th minute.
The 39-year-old thought he had doubled his advantage after racing clear and slotting the ball into the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Messi still had another major contribution to make, delivering the corner from which former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro headed home in the 81st minute.
The 2-0 win secured Miami their first Campeones Cup, with Messi having also scored his 100th goal for the club in the match.
Messi has previously won the award eight times, in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
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