Diego Simeone, coach of Atlético Madrid, publicly expressed his opinion on the Ballon d'Or race, stating without hesitation that Lionel Messi should be the winner of the prestigious award. The Argentine, who has won this distinction multiple times throughout his career, remains the favorite in the colchonero coach's opinion.
Simeone emphasized that Messi's performance at the upcoming 2026 World Cup will be a key factor in determining the award. He believes the Argentine superstar has the ability to once again deliver outstanding performances on the World Cup stage, which will greatly influence the judges' decision.
The Atlético Madrid coach has no doubts that Messi deserves the recognition, highlighting the importance that the 2026 World Cup will have in the final evaluation of the award's candidates. This position from Simeone comes at a time when the discussion about the Ballon d'Or favorites continues to dominate the international sporting debate.
Simeone's statement reflects the admiration the Argentine coach feels for his compatriot, reinforcing the idea that Messi continues to be a reference in world football, even after so many seasons of success. The 2026 World Cup promises to be the decisive stage for many candidates for the award.
