Simeone picks Messi for the 2026 Ballon d'Or over Lamine Yamal and Mbappé

The name of the next Ballon d'Or winner will not be announced for more than a month, but the debate is already heating up in Spanish football. Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé have started to make moves through their performances, their clubs and their inner circles. Diego Simeone, however, has a very different favorite for the award that recognizes the best player of the past season.

• Diego Simeone backs Leo Messi for the 2026 Ballon d'Or with no hesitation.
• The coach highlights the World Cup delivered by the Argentine and his level at his age.
• Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé lead the campaign in Spain from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
• Lamine Yamal recently placed himself and the French forward as the two best players in the world.
• Messi has already won the award eight times, more than anyone in history.

Simeone's clear answer on the 2026 Ballon d'Or

On Tuesday, during the press conference ahead of Atlético de Madrid's match against Osasuna on Wednesday at 19:00 at the Metropolitano, the Argentine coach was asked directly about the matter. His reply was immediate and left no room for interpretation.

Messi, without any doubt. After the World Cup he had, at his age, without any doubt, Messi.

With those words, Simeone made clear his preference for his compatriot, even though on this occasion the award does not seem set to go to a player who has already won it eight times, a record that makes him the most decorated footballer in the history of the prize.

Lamine Yamal and Mbappé speed up their Ballon d'Or campaigns

Meanwhile, in La Liga the race for individual recognition is already underway. Lamine Yamal, a key piece for Barcelona, and Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid's attacking reference, are emerging as the two main Spanish-based candidates for the throne. Both are very well positioned to fight for the trophy.

In fact, the Barcelona winger raised the stakes a few days ago when he stated that he and the French forward are the two best players on the planet. That declaration added more fuel to a debate that Simeone has now joined with a name many did not expect: Leo Messi.

Messi's World Cup, Simeone's main argument

The main argument put forward by the Atlético boss is Messi's performance at the last World Cup. At his age, the captain of the Argentine national team once again showed a competitive level that, for Simeone, places him above any other candidate, including the two big names currently playing in Spain.

Messi's Ballon d'Or history works against him

Despite the Argentine coach's forceful view, the race for the award seems to be heading in a different direction. Messi has collected eight Ballon d'Or trophies, more than any other footballer, and that status as a serial winner could count against him in the face of emerging stars. Either way, the conversation has only just begun.

Atlético Madrid vs Osasuna, the setting for the debate

Simeone's words came on the eve of an important match for his team. Atlético de Madrid host Osasuna on Wednesday at 19:00 at the Metropolitano auditorium, a setting that briefly shifted the focus to the biggest individual prize in world football.