Beckham backs Messi for Ballon d’Or after netting 100th Inter Miami goal

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-17T13:02:30.733Z • Permanent link

David Beckham has publicly endorsed Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or award after the Argentine footballer scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami. The news comes as Messi and his team prepare for the upcoming season, with Beckham, who also plays for Inter Miami, having already secured his 100th goal for the club. Beckham has been a long-time admirer of Messi's skills on the pitch and believes that the Argentine deserves to win the prestigious award. "I've had the pleasure of playing with some of the best players in the world, but Messi's ability to consistently deliver at the highest level is unmatched," Beckham said in a statement to Al Jazeera. Messi's goal tally for Inter Miami has been impressive, with the 37-year-old having already surpassed his predecessor David Beckham's record.

Messi's achievement has also sparked a heated debate among football fans, with some arguing that the Argentine's impressive goal-scoring record for Inter Miami should be taken into account when considering his eligibility for the Ballon d'Or award. However, the award is typically voted on by a panel of international sports journalists, and the decision is not influenced by Messi's performances for Inter Miami. Despite this, Beckham's endorsement has given Messi a significant boost in the polls, with many fans now believing that the Argentine has a strong chance of winning the award.

Beckham's comments also highlight the growing importance of the Ballon d'Or award in modern football. The award, which was first introduced in 1956, has become a benchmark of excellence for footballers around the world, with many players using it as a measure of their own success. However, the award has also become increasingly politicized, with some critics arguing that it is influenced by factors such as nationality and team loyalty rather than purely footballing merit.

The endorsement of Messi by Beckham has significant implications for the football world, particularly in the Data Sources domain. The Ballon d'Or award is a closely watched event in the football industry, with many companies and research communities closely following the results. For companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma, which sponsor top football players, the outcome of the award can have a significant impact on their bottom line. A Messi win could boost sales of his branded merchandise, while a Beckham win could give his sponsors a boost in the form of increased brand visibility.

The endorsement also highlights the growing importance of social media in shaping public opinion on football. Beckham's comments were widely reported on social media, with many fans and pundits weighing in on the news. The fact that Beckham, who is not a traditional football journalist, was able to shape public opinion on the Ballon d'Or award highlights the power of social media in modern football. This trend is likely to continue, with social media playing an increasingly important role in shaping public opinion on the sport.

The Ballon d'Or award has a long and storied history, dating back to its introduction in 1956. The award has been won by some of the greatest footballers of all time, including Pelé, Johan Cruyff, and Diego Maradona. However, the award has also been criticized for its lack of diversity, with some arguing that it is dominated by players from Europe and South America. In recent years, there has been a growing push for greater diversity in the award, with some arguing that it should be open to players from all over the world.