Argentinian newspaper Ole claims Lionel Messi should have won the Ballon d’Or and insisted Harry Kane’s triumph “won’t remove the stain” of England’s World Cup semi-final defeat.

In an editorial, the newspaper suggested 2026 was a year in which the eight-time winner “most deserved” the award due to his exploits at the summer showpiece with Messi leading his country to the final where they lost to Spain.

Argentina beat England in a bad-tempered last-four clash after two late goals gave Lionel Scaloni’s side a 2-1 victory.

Messi, who did not travel to London for the ceremony, opting instead to attend the Messi Cup, an international youth tournament that carries his name, finished fifth in the voting, behind Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Rodri.

He had returned to the shortlist for the first time in three years, at the age of 39, after also starring for Inter Miami, helping them win a maiden MLS Cup in December.

Ole commented: “Kane didn’t win the World Cup but achieved personal recognition. Among the merits of the 33-year-old striker we must recognise the incredible figure of 73 goals and 81 goal involvements [in 2026] between Bayern Munich and England.

“His performance at the World Cup also allowed him to leave Gary Lineker behind as England’s top scorer in the history of the tournament. With 14 goals to his name, he consolidated an outstanding trajectory that already had a highlight in Russia 2018, an edition in which he claimed the Golden Boot with six goals.

“Although the stain of having been defeated by Messi and Argentina, in the semi-finals in 2026, is one that will never be removed.”

‘The best will always be Leo Messi’

The article concluded: “With as many reasons as the other stars to have been chosen winner of this Ballon d’Or, the scoring record of a player with an exemplary profile was enough to give him the edge in one of the most even editions of recent times.

“But for us, the best is and always will be Leo Messi. The World Cup, once again, gave us evidence why.”

Messi recently retired from international football but continues to be a force in Major League Soccer.

He has a league-leading 25 goals this season but was left on the bench for the weekend defeat at the New York Red Bulls after making a trans-Atlantic dash back from Spain where he received the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.

Messi is expected to return to the starting line-up when Miami face Cincinnati on Wednesday night.