Lionel Scaloni Backs Lionel Messi for 2026 Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi’s place among the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has received another major endorsement, with Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni publicly backing his captain for the prestigious individual award.

Messi, who has already won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, is among the 30 nominees for this year’s prize despite being in the later stages of his extraordinary career. Scaloni believes Messi deserves consideration for another award, although he also suggested that the Argentine superstar is not particularly concerned about adding another Ballon d’Or to his collection.

The comments arrive at an important moment for Messi. The Inter Miami forward is reportedly preparing for a farewell international appearance against Benin on October 6, following Argentina’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With his international career approaching its conclusion, the Ballon d’Or debate has added another layer to the final chapter of his Argentina journey.

Lionel Scaloni Says Messi Deserves the Ballon d’Or

Scaloni was asked about Messi’s chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or and made his position clear. The Argentina coach argued that it is difficult to claim Messi does not deserve the award when he continues to perform at the highest level.

At the same time, Scaloni suggested that the individual prize is not a major concern for Messi at this stage of his career. According to the coach, Messi’s primary focus remains playing football rather than collecting additional personal honors.

That distinction is important because Messi already has an extraordinary collection of individual achievements. His eight Ballon d’Or victories place him at the top of the award’s historical list, meaning another triumph would add to an already unprecedented individual record.

Scaloni’s comments therefore reflect both Messi’s continued performances and his standing within Argentine football. The coach has worked closely with Messi during Argentina’s successful recent international period, making his assessment particularly relevant to the wider discussion.

Why Messi Is Still in the Ballon d’Or Conversation

Messi’s inclusion among the 30 nominees demonstrates that his performances remain significant enough to attract recognition despite his age.

The Argentine forward is competing in an award race that includes several established stars and younger players. Harry Kane, Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are among the names expected to feature prominently in discussions surrounding the 2026 prize.

Messi’s case is built around his production for both Inter Miami and Argentina. According to the supplied figures, he recorded 43 goals and 26 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Inter Miami, while also helping the club win the 2025 MLS Cup.

His international performances also form a significant part of the discussion. Messi reportedly scored eight goals and provided four assists during Argentina’s World Cup campaign as the team reached the final.

Those numbers provide the statistical foundation for the argument that Messi remains capable of competing with the world’s leading players even at this stage of his career.

Messi’s 2026 Ballon d’Or Competition

The 2026 Ballon d’Or race features a mixture of established stars and younger players who have made strong claims through their performances.

The presence of several high-profile candidates means Messi’s reputation alone will not settle the debate. His performances during the relevant award period remain central to his case, just as they are for every other nominee.

Messi’s International Career Is Approaching Another Milestone

The Ballon d’Or discussion comes at the same time as Messi prepares for a significant moment with Argentina.

Messi has reportedly announced his international retirement after Argentina finished second at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the Argentine Football Association is said to have convinced the Inter Miami star to participate in one final friendly in front of the home supporters.

That match is scheduled against Benin on October 6 and could provide Argentine fans with an opportunity to see Messi represent the national team one more time.

For a player whose international career has included major triumphs and difficult periods, the farewell match would carry considerable significance. Messi’s relationship with Argentina has developed dramatically over the years, particularly after the national team’s recent successes.

His potential farewell also means the 2026 Ballon d’Or conversation is taking place against the backdrop of a possible international retirement rather than the beginning of another World Cup cycle.

The Ballon d’Or Ceremony Is Set for October 26

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26.

The award recognizes the leading individual footballer based on the relevant voting process, with nominees judged in the context of their performances and achievements during the eligibility period.

Messi’s presence among the 30 nominees ensures that the ceremony will once again feature discussion about his remarkable longevity. The Argentine has remained a central figure in the award’s history for more than a decade and has accumulated eight victories during his career.

His latest nomination also underlines the continuing debate over how much weight should be given to individual statistics, team success, international performances and overall influence when comparing players from different leagues and positions.

Cristian Romero Also Backs Messi

Scaloni is not the only member of Argentina’s setup to publicly support Messi’s Ballon d’Or credentials.

Argentina defender Cristian Romero has also argued that Messi should win the award every year until he retires. Romero’s comments go beyond Messi’s statistical achievements, as he highlighted the forward’s character and humility after sharing the dressing room with him.

Romero described Messi as the best player in the world and argued that his personality adds another dimension to his greatness.

While Romero’s comments are clearly an expression of his personal opinion, they demonstrate the level of admiration Messi continues to receive from teammates and members of the Argentina setup.

For the Ballon d’Or voting process, however, personal endorsements from teammates or coaches do not independently determine the result. Messi’s overall performance and achievements remain the relevant factors in assessing his candidacy.

Messi’s Numbers Strengthen His Case

The statistical figures supplied for Messi’s recent campaign provide a strong foundation for the argument made by Scaloni and Romero.

Across 49 appearances for Inter Miami and Argentina, Messi reportedly produced 43 goals and 26 assists for the club side and national team context described in the source. His contribution for Inter Miami also coincided with the club winning the 2025 MLS Cup.

His World Cup numbers add another important component. Messi recorded eight goals and four assists as Argentina reached the final, giving him a substantial contribution during the tournament.

These performances are particularly notable because they came during a stage of Messi’s career when expectations surrounding his physical longevity are naturally different from those placed on younger players.

Instead of relying solely on his historical reputation, Messi’s current Ballon d’Or case can therefore be discussed through measurable contributions as well as his broader influence on his teams.

Age Is Another Part of the Messi Debate

At 39, Messi is competing against players who are considerably younger. That makes his continued presence in major individual-award conversations unusual.

However, age alone does not determine Ballon d’Or credentials. The relevant question is how a player performs during the period being considered for the award.

Messi’s supporters can point to his goals, assists, team achievements and World Cup performances. Other nominees will have their own statistical and team-based arguments, which is why the final voting process remains important.

Scaloni’s comments also suggest that Messi himself may view the award differently from earlier stages of his career. Having already achieved an unprecedented level of individual success, another Ballon d’Or may not represent the same personal priority it once did.

What Scaloni’s Comments Reveal About Messi’s Final Chapter

There is an interesting contrast in Scaloni’s assessment. The coach believes Messi deserves the award, yet he also says Messi is not particularly concerned about winning it.

That reflects the broader stage of Messi’s career.

For much of his career, individual awards were closely connected to debates about his place among football’s greatest players. Today, his eight Ballon d’Or victories, international achievements and club career have already established an extraordinary legacy.

His priorities now appear more closely connected to continuing to play and enjoying the final years of his career.

The potential farewell against Benin therefore carries a different emotional context from an ordinary international friendly. It could represent the closing stage of a career that has included multiple World Cup campaigns, major international trophies and years of individual recognition.

Why the 2026 Ballon d’Or Race Remains Open

Although Scaloni and Romero have publicly backed Messi, the award involves multiple nominees and cannot be decided simply by reputation or endorsements.

Messi’s numbers give him a strong statistical argument, but the other candidates will also enter the discussion with their own achievements. Players such as Kane, Rodri, Yamal and Mbappé have established profiles that make the 2026 race a broad competition rather than a one-player discussion.

The distinction between documented performance and personal opinion is particularly important here. Scaloni and Romero can explain why they believe Messi deserves the award, but their support does not constitute an official determination of the Ballon d’Or result.

The eventual winner will be determined through the award’s established voting process at the ceremony in London.

Messi’s Legacy Goes Beyond Another Ballon d’Or

Regardless of the outcome in October, Messi’s career achievements will not depend on whether he wins a ninth Ballon d’Or.

His eight previous victories already place him at the top of the award’s historical list. His international career has also included major success with Argentina, while his club career has produced an extensive collection of team and individual honors.

The 2026 nomination is therefore less about establishing Messi’s greatness from scratch and more about determining whether his latest body of work deserves another individual award.

That distinction helps explain why Scaloni can simultaneously argue that Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or and suggest that Messi himself is not particularly concerned about winning it.

Final Verdict

Lionel Scaloni has made his position clear: he believes Lionel Messi deserves the 2026 Ballon d’Or, while also suggesting that the Argentine superstar is more focused on playing football than adding another individual trophy to his collection.

Messi’s reported 43 goals and 26 assists across 49 appearances, his eight goals and four assists at the 2026 World Cup, and Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup success provide important elements of his candidacy. His nomination alongside players such as Harry Kane, Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé ensures that the award discussion will remain competitive.

Meanwhile, Messi’s potential farewell appearance against Benin on October 6 could become one of the defining moments of his final international chapter. With the Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for October 26, the coming weeks could provide a fitting conclusion to another remarkable period in the career of one of football’s most decorated players.