A new edition of the Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place, and Lionel Messi is once again one of the nominees for the prestigious award.
One of the most significant events in the world of awards is undoubtedly the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Ballon D’Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet.
the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Eight Ballon d’Or titles have been won by Lionel Messi throughout his career.
A new edition of the Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place, and Lionel Messi is once again one of the nominees for the prestigious award.
One of the most significant events in the world of awards is undoubtedly the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Lionel Messi, the most decorated winner in the award’s history, has once again been nominated. However, his recent commitments prevented him from attending the ceremony.
Last week, Messi traveled to Spain to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on Thursday. Then he want back to the US to play for Inter Miami in the second half of their 2-0 loss against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. And the Herons return to action on Wednesday against Cincinnati.
As if that weren’t enough, the No. 10 is currently hosting the Messi Cup, where he has been actively involved and present at some of the matches. This packed schedule ultimately prevented the Argentine superstar from joining the other nominees at the ceremony.
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Messi is the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history, with eight awards to his name, and he is looking to further cement his legendary career. Will he be able to do so in the twilight of his career?
Ballon D’Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet.
The nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or
This prestigious individual award has 30 nominees, with Cristiano Ronaldo curiously absent from the list. What will ultimately determine the winner? A strong World Cup performance? Their current form at club level? Here is the complete list of players in contention for the award.
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Harry Kane
Vinicius Jr.
Fabian Ruiz
Vitinha
Ferran Torres
William Saliba
Dayot Upamecano
Bruno Fernandes
Pau Cubarsi
Marc Cucurella
Jude Bellingham
Ousmane Dembele
Luis Diaz
Lamine Yamal
Erling Haaland
Gabriel Magalhaes
Achraf Hakimi
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Lionel Messi
Sadio Mane
Marquinhos
Lautaro Martinez
Kylian Mbappe
Nuno Mendes
Joao Neves
Michael Olise
William Pacho
Julian Quiñones
Rodri
Declan Rice
Messi is aiming to win his ninth Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or journey is nothing short of legendary, kicking off back in 2009 when he picked up his very first golden trophy as a unstoppable youngster at Barcelona. Over the next decade and a half, he turned winning soccer’s most prestigious individual award into a regular habit, taking home the top spot in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.
The ultimate crowning moment came in 2023, when he claimed his eighth and final Ballon d’Or—fresh off leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar—solidifying a record that will likely stand untouched for generations.
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Lionel Messi holds up his European footballer of the year award, the ‘Ballon d’Or’.
Key takeaways
Lionel Messi won’t attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
the Ballon d’Or ceremony. 30 players were nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, with Cristiano Ronaldo notably omitted.
Eight Ballon d’Or titles have been won by Lionel Messi throughout his career.
