Lionel Messi earns 17th nomination
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini entered the 2026 Ballon d’Or race with the 17th nomination of his career. The Inter Miami captain joined a 30-player men’s field for the October 26 ceremony in London.
Messi, 39, has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, most recently in 2023. His latest nomination follows Argentina’s runner-up finish at the 2026 tournament and another productive MLS season.
David Beckham backs Lionel Messi
David Beckham backed Lionel Messi after Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0 in the Campeones Cup on September 16. The club co-owner said the Argentine deserved consideration for the Ballon d’Or and should win.
That endorsement followed a milestone night in which Messi reached 100 goals for Inter Miami and later assisted Casemiro. The performance supported Beckham’s public case, although the match fell outside the award period.
Lionel Messi delivers at World Cup
Lionel Messi scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, totaling 12 direct goal contributions. Those numbers ranked the Argentine among the tournament’s most productive attacking players.
Messi finished behind Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot and received the Silver Boot. He also helped Argentina advance to the July 19 final against Spain at New York-New Jersey Stadium.
Lionel Messi reaches another final
Lionel Messi helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final, where Spain won 1-0 after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium. Midfielder Rodri received the tournament’s Golden Ball.
Messi received the Silver Ball, while Kylian Mbappé took the Bronze Ball. England finished third after beating France 6-4 in the bronze final at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026.
Lionel Messi matches elite scorers
Lionel Messi totaled eight World Cup goals and four assists, producing 12 direct contributions. Kylian Mbappé registered 10 goals plus four assists, while Jude Bellingham scored seven and added one assist.
Harry Kane scored six times and supplied one assist, while Erling Haaland registered seven goals with no assists. The comparison placed Messi among the most productive attackers on the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Lionel Messi leads MLS production
Lionel Messi remained highly productive in MLS at age 39. After September 20, league data credited him with 20 goals and 13 assists across 23 appearances, producing 33 direct goal contributions.
Those totals placed Messi at the top of both MLS categories at that point in the regular season. Inter Miami’s next league match is scheduled for September 27 against Columbus Crew.
Lionel Messi reaches 100 Miami goals
Lionel Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal with a 24th-minute header against Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup. Luis Suárez supplied the assist, and the captain later created Casemiro’s 81st-minute finish from a corner.
The 2-0 victory gave Inter Miami the 2026 Campeones Cup and continued the club’s trophy run across four consecutive seasons. Messi has been part of every title-winning season since joining the club in 2023.
Lionel Messi adds another club trophy
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami trophy record includes the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield, 2025 MLS Cup, and 2026 Campeones Cup. The latest victory raised his career total to 48 trophies.
The Campeones Cup arrived on September 16, after the 2026 Ballon d’Or reference period ended on July 19. That timing means the trophy does not count toward the performance window for this year’s award.
Lionel Messi faces field of 30
Lionel Messi faces a 30-player Ballon d’Or field that includes Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal. The complete men’s shortlist was confirmed on September 8.
Previous winners Rodri and Ousmane Dembélé also appear on the list. Messi is the only active MLS player among the nominees, making his candidacy unusual within a field dominated by European clubs.
Lionel Messi meets three voting tests
Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or case is judged under three published criteria. Voters consider individual performances, team achievements, class, and fair play when ranking nominated players on their official ballots.
An international panel of specialized journalists decides the men’s award. One voter represents each of the top 100 nations in FIFA’s ranking, and every juror ranks 10 players from the official 30-player nominee list.
Fun fact: A 1999 Lionel Messi youth jersey sold for €102,000 in 2025, proving that even his childhood shirts can command six figures decades later.
Lionel Messi gains notable support
Lionel Messi has support beyond David Beckham. Argentina defender Cristian Romero said the award should go to him, while Alexis Mac Allister cited the captain’s World Cup performance when explaining his endorsement.
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone also selected Messi when asked for his choice after the tournament. Those endorsements do not determine voting, but they show support from players, coaches, and executives across different competitions.
Lionel Messi stays productive at 39
Lionel Messi turned 39 on June 24 during the World Cup and remained a central part of Argentina’s tournament run. He appeared throughout the team’s eight-match path to another final.
His age makes that level of involvement unusual within the 2026 field, but Ballon d’Or voting does not award points for longevity. Voters instead apply criteria such as performance, team achievement, class, and fair play.
America’s 2026 World Cup stadiums ranked after hosting 78 matches, comparing the U.S. venues based on their tournament performances, crowds, atmosphere, and overall hosting experience.
Lionel Messi awaits October 26 ceremony
Lionel Messi remains among 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which is scheduled for October 26 at the London Palladium. The event marks the award’s 70th anniversary and first staging in London.
Messi has won the award eight times, more than any other player. A ninth victory would extend that record, with the result scheduled to be announced during the October ceremony in London.
Lionel Messi was fined by MLS after a heated clash with Philadelphia Union rival offers, adding context on how league disciplinary rules have affected Messi during his time in MLS.
David Beckham believes Lionel Messi deserves a ninth Ballon d’Or, but the 2026 field is packed with elite talent. Who would get your vote, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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