Diego Simeone Picks Lionel Messi Over Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe for 2026 Ballon d'Or

Diego Simeone, manager of Atletico Madrid, has thrown his weight behind Lionel Messi to claim the 2026 Ballon d'Or, setting aside claims from Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. The Argentine coach believes Messi’s remarkable performance at the 2026 World Cup, despite being 39 years old, outshines all other contenders.

Simeone Rejects Rival Claims

Before Atletico’s match against Osasuna, Simeone dismissed suggestions that the award should go to younger talents. This debate reignited after Yamal stated that he and Mbappe are currently the world’s top players. Simeone, however, disagreed, emphasizing Messi’s extraordinary global impact as unmatched.

"Messi, without a doubt," Simeone said firmly. "After the World Cup he had, at the age he is, no doubt at all. Messi."

The key reason behind Simeone’s choice is Messi guiding Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Spain. For Simeone, sustaining such high-level performance at 39 years old weighs more than achievements by Yamal, Mbappe, Rodri, Harry Kane, or Ousmane Dembele.

Other Players Making Their Case

Yamal recently made his pitch for the Ballon d'Or, citing his victories in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the World Cup with Spain as reasons he deserves the award over Mbappe. Meanwhile, current holder Ousmane Dembele expressed his intent to keep the trophy, stating: "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."

This upcoming nomination will be Messi’s 17th time on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, just one shy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 18. Messi last won the prize in 2023, marking his eighth win.

Historic Venue for the 2026 Ceremony

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be the 70th edition of the award and is set for October 26 in London, moving away from Paris for the first time. This shift honors Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first Ballon d’Or back in 1956.