Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘There’s no outright favourite, give it to Messi’ – Arshavin tells organisers
Former Arsenal Star Supports Messi for 2026 Ballon d’Or
Andrey Arshavin, a former player for Arsenal, has voiced his belief that Lionel Messi deserves the 2026 Ballon d’Or award. The Russian international argued that there is no clear frontrunner for the prestigious honor and that Messi’s performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup should be a decisive factor in awarding him the accolade.
Arshavin’s opinion contrasts with the current discussion surrounding the award, particularly involving players Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Kylian Mbappé. Yamal has claimed that his trophy haul last season positions him as the more deserving candidate compared to Mbappé, while the French forward has pointed to his goal-scoring achievements as justification for his own candidacy.
Mbappé did not win a trophy last season but was the top scorer in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA World Cup. Also in contention is England captain Harry Kane, who led European scoring last season. Nonetheless, Arshavin does not see any of these players as the clear favorite for the upcoming award.
In supporting Messi, Arshavin highlighted the Argentine’s substantial role in leading his national team to the World Cup final and his contributions to Inter Miami, including helping the team secure its first Major League Soccer (MLS) championship.
In an interview with Sports.ru, Arshavin stated, “It appears to me that no clear favorite exists for the Ballon d’Or this year. However, I would award it to Messi. He delivered an exceptional World Cup, propelling Argentina nearly independently.
“Regrettably, he was unable to guide the team to ultimate victory; however, he demonstrated outstanding performances for both the national team and Inter Miami. Furthermore, he directed the organization to their first league title. This would represent an appropriate concluding achievement given the absence of an evident contender.”
