The Ballon d’Or conversation is heating up, and Rodrigo De Paul has made his position crystal clear. The Inter Miami and Argentina midfielder has thrown his support behind his longtime teammate and captain, Lionel Messi, after another extraordinary chapter in the Argentine superstar’s career. 🇦🇷🔥
Following Inter Miami’s 2–0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup, De Paul was asked about Messi’s chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
His response was emphatic. 👀
De Paul pointed specifically to Messi’s performance at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final. Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists in eight matches, according to reports on his tournament campaign.
For De Paul, the age factor makes Messi’s achievement even more remarkable.
The midfielder argued that Messi challenged the limits of what is possible at 39 years old, competing against some of the strongest players in world football and producing a tournament De Paul considers exceptional.
🗣️ De Paul’s message was essentially this: in a World Cup year, what Messi produced at 39 makes his case impossible for De Paul to ignore.
But De Paul also acknowledged one important reality: he isn’t one of the voters. The final decision belongs to the official Ballon d’Or voting process.
And Messi has given himself another reason to remain part of the conversation.
Just days after the World Cup, he helped Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup, scoring in the 2–0 victory over Cruz Azul. De Paul also lifted the trophy alongside him, adding another memorable moment to their partnership.
Now the countdown begins. ⏳🏆
Messi is among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the winner scheduled to be announced in London on October 26.
Whether the voters ultimately agree with De Paul is another question entirely.
But one thing is undeniable: Messi’s 2026 World Cup campaign has become one of the central talking points in this year’s Ballon d’Or race. 🔥🐐
And De Paul has made sure everyone knows exactly where he stands. 😮💨🇦🇷🏆
For the 2026 Ballon d’Or race
Compare Messi with the main contenders
Check the official voting criteria
