Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has weighed in on the intensifying debate regarding the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The conversation surrounding the prestigious ‘Golden Ball’ has dominated global football headlines this week following France Football’s unveiling of the 30-man shortlist.
While the competition for the award is widely considered open, with roughly five players currently identified as top contenders—including Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane—Simeone expressed a clear preference. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Atlético boss advocated for his compatriot, Lionel Messi, insisting there is no room for doubt regarding who deserves the accolade.
“The 2026 Ballon d’Or has to be Leo Messi,” Simeone stated. “Zero doubts. With the World Cup he had at that age… no doubts.” The report also notes that the subject of the 2026 ‘Golden Ball’ has of course dominated the headlines across world football over the course of the last week. The report also notes that this comes after the 30-man shortlist for the prize was unveiled by France Football. The report also notes that with as many as five players in the running for the accolade, the race to be named football’s standout performer for the last 12 months is as things stand considered wide open. The report also notes that though, the aforementioned Diego Simeone pushed the case of another high-profile attacker, drawn on the topic during his own exchange with the media on Tuesday. The report also notes that specifically, after watching his fellow countryman’s exploits up close at this summer’s World Cup, Atléticos headmaster threw his backing behind Lionel Messi. The report also notes that simeone names Messi as Ballon d’Or pick without any doubt OffsAIde. The report also notes that EXCLUSIVE | Bacary Sagna: ‘When you have Neymar, Mbappé, Ramos and Messi and you push them to leave, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.
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