Lionel Messi has been named to the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, as announced by France Football. The ceremony to crown the world’s best player will take place on October 26, 2026, in London.
After the 39-year-old Argentine was left off the list for the previous two editions, his performance at the most recent World Cup has brought him back into contention. The Argentina captain was a key figure for the team that reached the final and secured the silver medal. During the tournament, Messi scored eight goals and played a pivotal role in the most critical matches.
Statistics and nominations
In addition to his success with the national team, Messi had a productive season for Inter Miami. In 2026, he recorded 31 goals and 16 assists in 35 matches. While the MLS is not considered one of the world’s top leagues, these figures highlight the Argentine’s significant impact on his team’s performance.
Joining Messi on the 30-player shortlist is Lautaro Martínez. The Argentine enjoyed a successful season with Inter and was a regular starter throughout the most recent World Cup. The nominations for both players were announced on September 8, 2026, via the official Ballon d’Or social media accounts.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held outside of France for the first time. The evaluation period covers the 2025/2026 season—from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026—and includes the most recent World Cup. The winner will be decided by a jury of 100 specialized journalists from the top-ranked nations in the FIFA rankings. This story is developing.
Source: La Nación
