Lionel Messi’s enduring status among the world’s elite has received another ringing endorsement, this time from French football great Zinedine Zidane. Despite approaching the age of 39, the Argentine forward remains on the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, one of football’s most prestigious individual honours.
Zidane has made no secret of where his preference would lie if he had a vote in this year’s award. The former France international said Messi would be his first choice and added that, if he were given 100 votes, he would use every one of them for the Inter Miami forward.
“I would vote for Messi 100 times,” Zidane said, making the strength of his admiration for the Argentine unmistakable.
For Zidane, Messi’s age is not a reason to question his place among the world’s best players. Instead, he considers the forward’s ability to remain at the highest level at this stage of his career a remarkable achievement. Maintaining elite performance for so many years is difficult, and Zidane believes the significance of Messi continuing to compete with younger stars is sometimes underestimated.
Messi’s longevity has been one of the defining features of his career. He has remained a prominent figure in world football for nearly two decades, competing consistently for major individual and team honours. His influence has extended beyond his club career, with his achievements for Argentina adding another significant chapter to his legacy.
Zidane also said he would not be surprised if Messi claimed the Ballon d’Or again. The Frenchman appears to have little doubt about Messi’s place in the debate over the greatest footballers in history. For him, continued discussion over whether the Argentine belongs among the very best is difficult to understand given what Messi has achieved throughout his career.
The Argentine won his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, further extending his record haul. He is now in contention for a ninth award after being included in the latest 30-player shortlist.
However, Messi faces strong competition from a group of established stars and emerging talents. Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, Vinícius Júnior and Erling Haaland are among the other high-profile players named on the shortlist.
The presence of Messi at this stage of his career gives the award race an added dimension. While several younger players are building their own cases for individual recognition, the Argentine continues to compete alongside them, highlighting the extraordinary length of his career at the highest level.
Zidane’s comments are particularly notable given his own standing in football history. A World Cup winner and one of France’s most celebrated players, he experienced the demands of elite football both as a player and later as a manager. His emphatic backing therefore adds another high-profile voice to the ongoing discussion surrounding Messi’s legacy.
Messi’s potential ninth Ballon d’Or would add another landmark to an already exceptional career. Whether he ultimately receives the award will be decided through the voting process, with several of the world’s leading players also in contention.
For Zidane, though, the choice appears straightforward. If he had 100 votes to cast, all 100 would go to Messi.
