2026 Ballon d'Or Messi: Can a Record Ninth Award Happen at 39?
Lionel Messi chases a record ninth Ballon d'Or at age 39 following a stellar 2026 World Cup and his 100th goal for Inter Miami. See the full shortlist and ceremony details.
26 Sept 2026, 12:09 UTC
The Race for a Historic Ninth Ballon d'Or
As football prepares for the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d'Or, the central debate is whether 39-year-old Lionel Messi can secure a record-breaking ninth trophy. Despite announcing his retirement from international football in August 2026, Messi remains a focal point of the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 award, bridging the gap between veteran legacy and the rise of new global stars.
World Cup Impact and Inter Miami Milestones
Messi's candidacy is heavily fueled by his performance in the 2026 World Cup, where he led Argentina to the final. According to BBC Sport, Messi scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists during the tournament. This run brought his career World Cup assist tally to 12—the highest on record—with 10 occurring in knockout rounds. He currently stands as the second-highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, just behind Kylian Mbappé's 22.
At the club level, Messi continues to reach unprecedented milestones with Inter Miami. On September 17, 2026, he scored his 100th goal for the club and provided an assist in a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul to clinch the Campeones Cup. As reported by Goal.com India, this victory marked the 49th trophy of his professional career.
The Competition: Veterans vs. Emerging Stars
While supporters like David Beckham and Rodrigo De Paul argue that Messi's impact at 39 is unparalleled, he faces a diverse field of contenders. The 30-player shortlist includes a mix of World Cup winners and league leaders:
- Harry Kane: The England forward is currently cited as a favorite for the award.
- Lamine Yamal: The Barcelona prodigy who played a key role in Spain's World Cup victory.
- Kylian Mbappé & Vinicius Jr: Real Madrid's attacking duo who remain perennial contenders.
- PSG Contingent: The back-to-back Champions League winners have nine nominees, including last year's winner Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final.
2026 Ceremony Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 26, 2026 |
| Location | London |
| Milestone | 70th Anniversary of the Award |
| Organizer | France Football |
Sources & further reading
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