2026 Ballon d’Or contender Lionel Messi has received a strong endorsement from Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who believes his national team captain deserves the individual award after another remarkable World Cup campaign.
De Paul, speaking to TUDN Mexico, pointed specifically to Messi’s performances at the 2026 World Cup, where the 39-year-old helped Argentina reach the final before they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists and was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-ranked player in the tournament.
“In my opinion, Leo Messi should win the Ballon d’Or,” De Paul said. “For me there is no discussion. What he did at this World Cup at the age of 39 and being the best player of the tournament. No one will do anything like that ever again.”
De Paul’s assessment differs from the official World Cup awards. Spain midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball after helping his country claim the 2026 World Cup, while Messi took the Silver Ball. France forward Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals, with Messi finishing second with eight.
Messi’s World Cup campaign nevertheless added another remarkable chapter to his international career. He became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer during Argentina’s group-stage victory over Austria, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose. FIFA records Messi with 18 World Cup goals after that match and six appearances at the tournament.
The Argentina captain ultimately finished the 2026 tournament with eight goals and four assists, helping his side reach a second consecutive World Cup final. Spain ended Argentina’s title defence with a 1-0 victory in extra time.
For Messi, the tournament also marked the end of his international career. He announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on August 31, bringing a 21-year international career to a close. He leaves as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances.
Messi is still scheduled to make one final appearance for Argentina. FIFA confirmed that he will play in a farewell friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6. He will not feature in Argentina’s preceding matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race will ultimately be decided by the award’s voters, but De Paul’s position is clear. For the Argentina midfielder, Messi’s performances at 39, combined with his goals and influence during a World Cup campaign that took Argentina back to the final, make the Inter Miami forward his choice for the prize.
