Zidane Endorses Messi for 2026 Ballon d'Or, Declares Him GOAT

Sep 9, 2026

46 min

Sep 9, 2026 13:32

‘I would vote for Messi 100 times’: Real Madrid legend Zidane settles the GOAT debate

## Zidane's Endorsement

Zinedine Zidane, a legendary figure in football and former Real Madrid manager, has expressed his strong support for Lionel Messi in the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Despite being 39, Messi's performance continues to impress Zidane, who stated he would "vote for Messi 100 times."

## Messi's Remarkable Year

During the Ballon d'Or assessment period, Messi achieved 75 goal contributions in 49 matches for Inter Miami and Argentina, scoring 45 goals and assisting 30 times. His efforts helped Argentina reach the World Cup final, where they were narrowly defeated by Spain.

## The GOAT Debate

Zidane, who coached Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, has weighed in on the ongoing debate about the greatest footballer of all time. He firmly believes Messi deserves the title, emphasizing that those who doubt it "don't understand football." This statement is notable given Zidane's history with Ronaldo, highlighting his admiration for Messi's enduring excellence.

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