Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or plans remain on hold as Inter Miami schedule looms

Lionel Messi’s attendance at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in London remains uncertain, with the Argentina captain expected to wait until after Inter Miami’s meeting with New York Red Bulls before deciding whether to travel to the United Kingdom.

Messi is among the contenders for this year’s award and holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or victories, having won the prize eight times. Organisers are hoping the Argentine forward will be present at the ceremony, but his decision is being complicated by a demanding series of commitments and international travel over the coming days.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Messi will not make a final decision on travelling to London until Inter Miami’s next match has been completed. The Major League Soccer fixture against New York Red Bulls is scheduled for Saturday in the United States and is expected to determine the next stage of his plans.

Before returning to his club, Messi is due to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on Friday. The presentation will take place at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain, where the Argentina captain is scheduled to attend the ceremony and accept the honour.

Once the event has concluded, Messi will travel to the United States to rejoin Inter Miami. His immediate focus will then be Saturday’s match against New York Red Bulls, after which he will assess whether he can make another transatlantic journey to England in time for the Ballon d’Or event.

The ceremony is due to be held at the London Palladium on Monday. The short gap between Messi’s commitments in Spain, the United States and Britain has left his participation unresolved, despite the organisers’ expectation that the eight-time winner could attend.

His availability will therefore remain unclear until the Inter Miami fixture has been played. Only then will Messi decide whether the schedule allows him to continue on to London for the Ballon d’Or ceremony.