Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham believes Lionel Messi deserves to win his ninth Ballon d'Or this year after a "special" World Cup.
Harry Kane is the bookies' favourite to win the award next month after scoring 73 goals in 61 games for Bayern Munich and England last season.
But rather than back his countryman, Beckham has pointed to Messi's performances for Argentina this summer as the decisive factor.
The 39-year-old scored eight goals during the tournament, while he also led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title last year, and their first Campeones Cup on Wednesday.
"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, who earned 115 caps for England, 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.
"He came into that tournament in the World Cup, and like you've just said, 39 years old, to affect a World Cup and every game the way he did. That's special. There's no one at 39 that's doing that and doing it at that level. So he deserves to be considered for the Ballon d'Or. He, in my opinion, he should win it.
"You've got great players there like Harry Kane, like Kylian [Mbappé], like Jude Bellingham and other players there, but you know when you're talking about Leo, I'm his biggest supporter."
Messi's Inter Miami teammate Casemiro joined Beckham in his support for the Argentinian.
"He's still the best," the Brazilian said on Apple TV. "He proved it at the World Cup and he's still proving it in the MLS."
Asked about Messi's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, Casemiro replied: "We know it's possible with him, and he proved it at the World Cup. But it's not up to me to talk.
"When you play with a teammate, you always want them to win, but that's up to the people to decide in the voting. All I wish is the best of luck.
"But I want people to see what he did at the World Cup, which is very important."
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- Retired Messi named to Argentina squad for Oct. 6 farewell game
- Bayern's Olise, Díaz back Kane in Ballon d'Or bid
Messi, who joined Miami in 2023, scored his 100th goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Mexican outfit Cruz Azul on Wednesday.
Argentina were beaten in July's World Cup final by Spain, with midfielder Rodri named player of the tournament after the game.
Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are also seen as strong contenders for a wide open Ballon d'Or, with the ceremony taking place on Oct. 26 in London.
Messi has won eight before, in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023.