'Football god' Messi chases 9th Ballon d'Or

Sep 09, 2026, 10:14 am

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'Football god' Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) aims to claim an unprecedented ninth Ballon d'Or. / AP, Yonhap

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), widely revered as the "god of football," is bidding to claim an unprecedented ninth Ballon d'Or.


According to the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or unveiled on official channels on the 8th (KST), Messi returned to the final nominee list for the first time in three years since 2023. It marks his 17th career nomination, having previously claimed the prestigious honor in 2009–2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021–2023.


This summer, Messi steered Argentina to a runner-up finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Demonstrating his enduring prowess with eight goals and four assists on the journey to the final, he has continued to showcase top-tier form upon returning to his club. On the 1st of this month, he announced his retirement from the national team via social media, stating, "I have no strength left to give."


The 30-man shortlist for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or. / Courtesy of Ballon d'Or

Messi faces formidable competition for the accolade. The shortlist features marquee contenders including Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior (both Real Madrid), Rodri (FC Barcelona) and Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)—the winners in 2024 and last year, respectively—alongside Erling Haaland (Manchester City).


Paris Saint-Germain, which swept five major trophies last season, including back-to-back UEFA Champions League crowns, produced nine nominees for the second consecutive year. Having set an all-time record for the most nominees from a single club last year, the French powerhouse matched its own milestone this year.


Meanwhile, South Korea failed to produce a nominee for the third consecutive year following Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) in 2023. Kim, who became the first Asian defender ever nominated, finished 22nd in the voting that year. Son Heung-min (LAFC) earned nominations in 2019 and 2022, placing 22nd and 11th, respectively. His 11th-place finish remains the highest ranking ever achieved by an Asian footballer in Ballon d'Or history.


Established by the French magazine France Football and co-organized with UEFA, the Ballon d'Or honors the world's best footballer over the course of a single season. The award ceremony will take place on October 26 at the London Palladium in the United Kingdom.


                                                                                                       Cho Seong-joon

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