Messi Ballon d’Or history has entered another remarkable chapter after the Argentine earned a place among the 2026 nominees. The latest nomination means 20 years have passed since Lionel Messi first appeared among the award’s candidates.
Messi Ballon d’Or history spans two decades
Messi first appeared on the Ballon d’Or shortlist in 2006, when he was 19 years old. At the time, the Barcelona youngster was beginning to establish himself as one of football’s most exciting talents.
He finished 20th in that year’s voting. Fabio Cannavaro won the award after helping Italy lift the 2006 World Cup.
Since then, Messi has transformed his career and the history of the award. He has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, the most by any player.
His latest nomination now gives him a 20-year span between his first and most recent appearances on the shortlist. That milestone underlines the extraordinary length of his career at the highest level.
The 2026 shortlist includes 30 players. Messi remains among the nominees despite playing outside Europe’s traditional top leagues with Inter Miami.
Messi Ballon d’Or record continues at 39
The latest nomination is particularly notable because Messi is now 39 years old. His continued presence among the world’s leading players has added another dimension to his already historic career.
Messi’s longevity has also produced several unique achievements. He has won the Ballon d’Or across three different decades, while his club career has included Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Furthermore, his 2026 nomination followed another strong international campaign with Argentina. Messi helped the national team reach the World Cup final, adding another major chapter to his international career.
He also continued to make history at the World Cup. The official Ballon d’Or website noted that Messi became the first player to compete at six different editions of the tournament. He also set records for World Cup appearances and matches as captain.
Messi Ballon d’Or return follows strong campaign
Messi’s return to the shortlist comes after he was absent from the previous two editions. His last Ballon d’Or appearance ended with an eighth victory in 2023.
His 2026 nomination therefore represents more than another entry on the list. It shows that his performances remain strong enough to attract recognition even at the later stage of his career.
According to Reuters, Messi contributed 75 goals and assists in 49 matches for Inter Miami and Argentina during the period considered for the award. He also helped Inter Miami win the MLS title and guided Argentina to the World Cup final.
However, Messi faces strong competition for the prize. Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and several other elite players are also among the nominees.
Kane enters the race after an outstanding season with Bayern Munich and England. Mbappe also strengthened his case through his club performances and his record-breaking World Cup campaign.
Messi Ballon d’Or bid could create more history
The 2026 award ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London. If Messi wins, he will increase his record tally from eight Ballon d’Or awards to nine.
That would further extend his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times. It would also give Messi another remarkable achievement at an age when most footballers have already retired.
Still, victory is far from guaranteed. The competition includes several players who produced exceptional seasons for their clubs and countries.
The strength of the shortlist makes the race one of the most closely watched Ballon d’Or contests in recent years. For Messi, however, simply returning to the list has already added another record to his career.
Ultimately, the Messi Ballon d’Or story continues to demonstrate his extraordinary longevity. Two decades after his first nomination, the Argentine remains part of the conversation for football’s most prestigious individual prize.
His latest appearance also offers another reminder of how long he has remained at the top of world football. At 39, Messi is still adding new records to a legacy that has already defined an era.
Source: GhanaWeb
