Ballon d'Or 2026: Di Maria Names Two Players Who Could Win the Award

Rosario Central captain Angel Di Maria has pointed to Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo as the two players most likely to win the Ballon d’Or this year if they secure the 2026 World Cup.

Messi and Ronaldo are both preparing for their sixth World Cup appearance.

Between them, the duo has earned the Ballon d’Or 13 times during their European careers.

In an interview with the Ballon d’Or official website, Di Maria said that both forwards could claim the individual award if they play a starring role in the tournament that begins next week.

“Well… it’s normal… at the end of the day, there isn’t a Messi or a Cristiano anymore; that’s over,” Di Maria said.

“For me, there won’t be a rivalry as great as that one. That’s why I think that if either of them wins the World Cup or plays a starring role, they’ve got a good chance to win the Ballon d’Or,” he added.

Di Maria has played alongside Messi and Ronaldo with the Argentina national team and at Real Madrid.