Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham believes Lionel Messi deserves to win his ninth Ballon d’Or after another outstanding year for club and country.
Harry Kane, who scored 73 goals in 61 appearances for Bayern Munich and England last season, is the bookmaker’s favorite to win the award, according to reports.
However, Beckham backed his Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi and pointed to the Argentina skipper’s performances at this summer’s World Cup.
Messi scored eight goals in the competition and helped Inter Miami win their first MLS Cup last year. He then played a key role in Miami winning its first Campines Cup on Wednesday night.
“He should win”
Speaking to Apple TV, Beckham said Messi’s performances at the World Cup showed why he should be considered a leading candidate.
“I think when you see him do things like this tonight, when you see him get 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’s probably the best player in the tournament. He had an unbelievable year last year.
“He played that game at the World Cup, as you just said, at 39 years old, and impacted the World Cup and every game the way he did. It’s special. No one has done that at 39 and no one has done it at that level. So he should be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it.
“There are great players out there like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and others, but you know when you talk about Leo, I am his biggest supporter,” he added.
Messi makes history for Miami
Messi scored with a header from Luis Suarez’s cross in the 24th minute of Wednesday’s Copa Campéne match at the Estadio Nau in Miami.
The 39-year-old thought he had doubled his advantage after charging forward and firing the ball into the back of the net, but the shot was ruled out for offside.
Messi had another major contribution when he took a corner kick in the 81st minute and former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro headed home.
The 2-0 victory earned Miami their first Campenes Cup and saw Messi score his 100th goal for the club.
Messi has won this award eight times previously, in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023.