Diego Simeone Backs Lionel Messi for 2026 Ballon d’Or Over Yamal and Mbappe

Simeone Supports Messi for 2026 Ballon d'Or Despite Rising Stars

Diego Simeone, manager of Atletico Madrid, has thrown his support behind Lionel Messi as the frontrunner for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. He dismissed claims from Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, saying the Argentine legend’s World Cup performances at age 39 remain unmatched.

Simeone Rejects Yamal and Mbappe’s Claims

Before Atletico’s match against Osasuna, Simeone openly dismissed other candidates for football’s highest individual honor. This conversation reignited after Yamal recently stated that he and Mbappe are the two best players currently. Simeone disagreed strongly, emphasizing Messi’s extraordinary impact on the global stage.

“Messi, without a doubt,” Simeone said when asked who deserves the award. “After the World Cup he had, at the age he is, no doubt at all. Messi.”

The decisive factor for Simeone was Messi guiding Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final before losing to Spain. To the Atletico boss, sustaining top-level performance at 39 years old outweighs achievements by players like Yamal, Mbappe, Rodri, Harry Kane, or Ousmane Dembele.

Rivals Make Their Cases for the Ballon d’Or

Simeone’s remarks came shortly after Yamal promoted his own candidacy. The teenager claimed he should win ahead of Mbappe due to his success with Barcelona in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the World Cup with Spain.

Meanwhile, current holder Dembele expressed his determination to keep the prize: “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.”

Messi’s Record and Upcoming Ceremony

This nomination marks Messi’s 17th time shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or, just one shy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record 18. Messi last won the trophy in 2023, securing it for an eighth time.

The 2026 award ceremony will take place on October 26 in London, marking its 70th edition. This will be the first time the event is held outside Paris, honoring Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956.

• Messi’s Ballon d’Or nominations: 17
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s record nominations: 18
• Messi’s Ballon d’Or wins: 8 (last in 2023)
• 2026 ceremony date: October 26
• Location: London
• Reason for London venue: Tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews