Messi keeps Ballon d’Or hopes alive with unexpected top-five finish

Lionel Messi finished fifth in the 2026 Ballon d’Or voting after his performances for Argentina at the World Cup, keeping alive the possibility of another individual award despite being 39 and nearing the end of his international career.

The eight-time winner was not present at Monday evening’s ceremony in London. According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Messi travelled to Oviedo to collect the Princess of Asturias Award on Friday before returning to the United States for Inter Miami’s match against New York, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for his side.

Messi retired from international football this summer and was unable to claim a ninth Ballon d’Or. However, his fifth-place finish represented a significant achievement, largely because of his contribution to Argentina’s World Cup campaign.

He scored eight goals during the tournament before Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time in the final. That defeat brought a painful conclusion to an international career in which Messi scored 126 goals in 208 appearances for his country.

Although he missed the ceremony, Messi received a warm reception from the audience at London’s Palladium Theatre. His name appeared in a video celebrating previous Ballon d’Or winners, prompting strong applause and underlining his enduring popularity and status among football’s greatest players.

European competition remains a factor

Messi’s nomination came despite his absence from the weekly competition provided by Europe’s leading domestic leagues. He scored 40 goals and supplied 27 assists in 41 appearances for Inter Miami during the period covered by the voting.

However, his performances in Major League Soccer did not give him the same level of visibility against Europe’s elite clubs, a factor reflected in the final standings.

The fifth-place result was Messi’s 17th appearance among the Ballon d’Or nominees. It also marked his 14th finish inside the top three, a record number of podium appearances. Cristiano Ronaldo remains ahead of him for total nominations, with 18.

Messi is contracted to Inter Miami until December 2028, leaving open the possibility of continuing his club career. A return to Ballon d’Or contention would nevertheless appear to depend on him producing an exceptional season capable of restoring his position at the centre of global attention.

The latest vote also suggested that the historic rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is drawing towards its conclusion. Together, they won 12 of the 13 awards contested between 2008 and 2021, before the focus shifted towards a new generation of players.

The result has also increased pressure on Kylian Mbappe, who missed out on the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The award went to England striker Harry Kane, contrary to the expectations of some of the French forward’s supporters.