Rodrigo De Paul, a midfielder for Inter Miami, praised Lionel Messi after his team’s 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup. De Paul, who hails from Argentina like Messi, said his compatriot is his favorite to win the Ballon d’Or, an annual award given to the world’s best male footballer. De Paul’s comments were echoed by Brazilian player Casemiro and former English football star David Beckham, who also believe Messi deserves the honor. David Beckham, who is a co-owner of Inter Miami, highlighted Messi’s remarkable performance in the World Cup, where Argentina reached the final, and his recent success in Major League Soccer (MLS). Beckham noted that Messi, now 39, has continued to perform at a high level, scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami during the win over Cruz Azul. This milestone came in his 115th appearance across all competitions. Beckham argued that Messi’s achievements make him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, even with competition from players like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Lamine Yamal. Messi scored the opening goal in the 24th minute, converting a cross from his teammate Luis Suárez. This marked his 100th goal for Inter Miami, a significant milestone in his career. Casemiro added a second goal in the 81st minute, heading in a corner delivered by Messi. This was the fourth goal of the season for Casemiro, all of which have been scored with his head. The victory marked another trophy for Inter Miami, which has won three major titles in just three years since Messi joined the club. Inter Miami will return to MLS action this Sunday when it hosts San Diego FC at Nu Stadium. The team is currently second in the Eastern Conference standings, showing strong performance throughout the season. With Messi’s continued influence and the team’s success, Inter Miami remains a top contender in the league.