Former Bayern Munich and Juventus defender Medhi Benatia has hit out at Lionel Messi’s fifth-place finish in the 2026 Ballon d’Or vote, asking how a player who spent the year in MLS could rank ahead of Michael Olise.
Messi, 39, was placed fifth at Monday’s (October 26) ceremony at the London Palladium. Harry Kane won, with Kylian Mbappé second, Lamine Yamal third and Rodri fourth. Olise, the Bayern Munich winger, came ninth. It was Messi’s 17th Ballon d’Or nomination and his second fifth-place finish, matching 2018.
