Lionel Messi nominated for 2026 Ballon d'Or

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi, who days ago announced his retirement from the national team, could end a heartbreaking year on a high note after being nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. France Football, the sports magazine that awards world football's most prestigious individual honor, announced Tuesday the list of 30 players nominated for the award, with the 39-year-old among the candidates. It's Messi's 17th nomination, one of the few categories in which he doesn't hold the record, as he trails his historic rival, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been nominated 18 times. However, the Argentine is the most successful winner in the award's history, having taken home eight trophies in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. He is back on the 30-player list for the first time since 2023, when he claimed his eighth award. The former Argentina captain, who recently led his team to its second consecutive World Cup final — which they lost to Spain — is considered an outsider for the award. He was one of the best players at the World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. He also broke the record for the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, most consecutive games scoring in World Cup games and the most Player of the Match awards. However, England's Harry Kane, who scored 70 goals during the season; Spain's Lamine Yamal, who saw La Roja lift its second World Cup title; and France's Kylian Mbappé, who became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer at 27, are considered the favorites. Messi isn't the only Argentine nominated for the award, with Inter Milan's Lautaro Martínez also in the running. The striker — nicknamed The Bull — finished the year with 22 goals for his club and was instrumental in Argentina reaching the World Cup final, scoring the 2-1 goal in the semifinal against England. The only other Argentine nominated for an award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony is Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez, who is in the running for the Yashin Award, given to the year's best goalkeeper. The event is scheduled for Monday, October 26, starting at 4:00 p.m. Argentine time. The ceremony will take place at The London Palladium, marking the first time it has been held outside France.