Casemiro backs Messi as Ballon d'Or 2026 favourite at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi, captain of the Selección Argentina, has re‑emerged at the centre of the global football conversation as the Ballon d'Or 2026 approaches, and his Inter Miami teammates have rallied behind him with a rare show of support.

Casemiro's endorsement inside Inter Miami

Casemiro, the 34‑year‑old Brazilian midfielder who joined Inter Miami after starring in the Campeones Cup win over Cruz Azul, did not hold back his admiration for the Argentine captain. He praised Messi’s influence, saying that anything is possible when he plays, and recalled the World Cup triumph as proof.

Speaking in the dressing‑room, the new signing added that he would like to see Messi win the award but stressed that the decision lies with the voters. “When I play alongside one of my teammates, I always want a teammate to win, and of course I want him to win, but that depends on the people and their votes,” he explained.

Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony set for London

France Football will present the BALÓN and ORO on Monday 26 October at The London Palladium in England, evaluating performances from July 2025 to 19 July 2026 – the period that saw Spain lift the World Cup after a narrow victory over Argentina.

The gala will gather the sport’s leading stars to crown the year’s best player, with the award’s prestige underscored by the venue’s historic status. Organisers have confirmed the countdown is now official, and the ceremony promises a night of unforgettable moments for football’s elite.