Mehdi Benatia criticised the final 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings, questioning Lionel Messi's fifth-place finish and Rodri's fourth-place finish. Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career, ahead of Kylian Mbappé in second and Lamine Yamal in third.
Benatia's view on Messi
GOAL reported that Benatia gave his opinion on the final ranking of the 2026 Ballon d'Or, specifically regarding Lionel Messi and Rodri.
Speaking to the Foot Mercato network, the former Morocco international added: "It is true that he was outstanding at the World Cup, and the whole team plays for him. All respect to him, he is the same age as us. But how can you tell me that Messi is in fifth place?"
Rodri's fourth-place finish
GOAL wrote that Benatia questioned Messi's fifth-place finish and Rodri's fourth-place finish.
On Rodri, the former Morocco international said: "How can he be in fourth place when he only played four months throughout the season?"
Positions in the final ranking
Messi finished fifth in the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings, while Rodri finished fourth.