Casemiro backs Messi for ninth Ballon d'Or after Campeones Cup win
Casemiro has named his Inter Miami teammate Lionel Messi as his preferred candidate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying ‘with him anything is possible’ after the team’s 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup final. The Brazilian midfielder made the comment on September 17, 2026, highlighting Messi’s World Cup performance and his desire for teammates’ success while insisting the final decision rests with voters.
Messi, now 39, scored a header and provided an assist to Casemiro in that Wednesday evening match, securing Inter Miami’s inaugural Campeones Cup trophy. Earlier in the year, he led the club to its first MLS Cup championship in December 2025, tallying 43 goals and 26 assists across 49 matches in all competitions. He also guided Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where they lost to Spain, and received a Ballon d’Or nomination on September 8 as one of thirty contenders.
For Nigerian football fans, Messi’s continued excellence at an age when many players retire reinforces that skill and dedication can defy expectations, offering motivation for local players aspiring to compete globally. His potential ninth Ballon d’Or would further cement his legacy, a story that resonates in a nation where football is a major source of pride and inspiration.
With Messi still delivering at 39, does his potential ninth Ballon d’Or change how you view age and longevity in football, or do you think another player deserves it more?