Zidane: I would vote for Messi 100 times without hesitation in the Ballon d'Or race

French football legend Zinedine Zidane has voiced his strong support for Argentine star Lionel Messi in the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, affirming that he would cast his vote for him “100 times” if given the opportunity. Zidane stated, “I would vote for Messi 100 times without hesitation. I think people do not truly realize how remarkable it is to remain among the world’s best players at the age of 39.” The former Real Madrid manager added that he would not be surprised if Messi were to win the award, emphasizing the Argentine star’s place in the history of the game. Zidane went further in his comments on the debate over the greatest player in football history, saying, “If anyone still has doubts in the discussion about the greatest of all time, then frankly, that person does not belong to the football community.” Zidane’s remarks came after Messi was included in the list of candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, as the Argentine star continues to compete at the highest level despite turning 39.