French football legend Zinedine Zidane has thrown his full support behind Lionel Messi for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, declaring he would vote for the Argentine star after the 39-year-old made the 30-man shortlist for a 17th time.
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, enjoyed another standout year. He claimed the MLS Most Valuable Player award for a second consecutive season and helped Inter Miami win their first MLS Cup in December 2025. At the 2026 World Cup, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists as Argentina finished as runners-up.
Between August 2025 and July 2026, the Argentine netted 47 goals and recorded 31 assists in 54 matches.
Despite years of rivalry when Zidane managed Real Madrid against Messi’s Barcelona, the newly appointed France coach was unequivocal in his praise.
“I would vote for Messi 100 times. I think people really don’t understand how incredible it is to still be among the best players in the world at 39 years old,” Zidane said, according to Marca.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Messi won the award,” he added.
Not everyone agrees. Scottish former striker Ally McCoist argued Messi does not deserve the trophy this year, saying the Ballon d’Or is for the player of the year and Messi “wasn’t” that player in 2026. McCoist instead backed England’s Harry Kane.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October at the London Palladium.
