Leo Messi Nominated for 2026 Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Leo Messi has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, his 17th career shortlist. The Inter Miami captain is recognised after starring across club and country over the past year.

According to Inter Miami, he is the only active MLS player among the 30 nominees, with the winner to be announced in London, England on 26 October.

The 39-year-old from Rosario, Argentina has lifted the award a record eight times, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

Messi led Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup, the club’s first, and claimed the 2025 Golden Boot with 29 goals and 48 goal contributions. He was named Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player for a second straight season, becoming the first to win it in consecutive years.

He played in all eight of Argentina’s matches on their run to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, scoring eight and assisting four. He set multiple tournament benchmarks, including records for most wins, 23, most assists, 12, and most finals started, three.

During the tournament he briefly became the World Cup’s top scorer with a brace against Austria in the group stage, then finished second on 21 overall. He was also the first player to score in six consecutive knockout matches and scored in nine consecutive World Cup games.

Source: Inter Miami

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