David Beckham makes Ballon d'Or case for Lionel Messi after Campeones Cup triumph

Although Wednesday night's 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul is not technically part of Lionel Messi 's Ballon d'Or campaign, Inter Miami CF owner David Beckham still used the opportunity to make his case for the Argentine icon.

Beckham, a former world-class player in his own right who has won plenty of accolades himself throughout an illustrious career, knows what it means to be the best player in the world.

And in his mind, there's no question who that was for the past year.

"I think when you see him do things like this tonight, when you see him have the World Cup that he's had, it's not luck that he's being considered for the Ballon d'Or again," Beckham said on Apple TV. "It's not luck because he was probably the best player in the tournament. He had an incredible year last year.