There are some moments in football that just make you stop and smile. Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, dragging Argentina to another World Cup final was one of them. It wasn’t about the stats, though they were incredible. It was about the feeling. The feeling that we were watching something we’d never see again. And as the conversation around the Messi Ballon d’Or heats up, it’s a chance to simply appreciate what he’s given us.
The Last Dance: A World Cup for the Ages
Messi’s final World Cup was a masterclass in quiet, unyielding brilliance. He finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists, his best-ever production in a World Cup. But the numbers barely scratch the surface. It was the way he controlled the tempo, the way his teammates rallied around him, and the way he made the impossible look routine.
Argentina didn’t lift the trophy, losing 1-0 to a fantastic Spain side in the final. But they got there because of him. For fans, that run was a gift, a final chance to see the little magician weave his spells on the biggest stage of all.
A Golden Ball Debate: Rodri, Messi, and the Eye Test
When Rodri was awarded the World Cup Golden Ball, it sparked a debate that felt familiar to many football fans. Rodri is a phenomenal player, a midfield metronome who was instrumental in Spain’s victory. His stats for tackles and possession were elite.
But the award is often about more than that. It’s about moments. And in that regard, Messi’s impact was undeniable. One Argentine journalist called the decision an “almost insult,” pointing to Messi’s five Man of the Match awards compared to Rodri’s one. Sky Sports’ Power Rankings, which analyze a wide range of metrics, placed Messi, Mbappé, and Bellingham as the top three performers of the tournament, with Rodri ranking 18th.
This isn’t to take anything away from Rodri. It’s simply to acknowledge that for many, the Golden Ball felt like it missed the story of the tournament—the story of Messi’s final, heroic ride.
Still Magic in Miami: The Heartbeat of Inter Miami
Use up and down arrow keys to resize the meta box pane.
If you can’t bear the thought of an Argentina team without him, you’re not alone. It’s a painful thought. But the beautiful thing is, the story isn’t over. Messi is still playing, still creating, still being the heartbeat of a team—just in a different shade of pink.
Use up and down arrow keys to resize the meta box pane.
Use up and down arrow keys to resize the meta box pane.
In the 2026 MLS season, Messi has been extraordinary, leading the Golden Boot race with 18 goals and 12 assists in just 24 matches. He recently put on a show with four goals and an assist against CF Montréal. His 30 goal contributions made him the first player in MLS history to surpass that mark in three different seasons.
Watching him in MLS isn’t a step down; it’s a chance to see a master at work in a new setting. He’s still the focus, still the player everyone tunes in to watch. And he’s still delivering.
The Rules Have Changed: A Truly Global Award
If you’ve ever heard that a player has to be in Europe to win the Ballon d’Or, you can put that myth to rest. In 2007, the award was opened up to any player around the world, regardless of where they play their club football. France Football clarified this again in 2026, confirming that players outside of Europe, like Messi in MLS, are fully eligible.
This makes the Messi Ballon d’Or conversation entirely legitimate. It’s not a sentimental loophole; it’s the award working exactly as it should—honouring the best player in the world, wherever they may be.
What the Legends Are Saying
The football world is full of opinions, and some of the biggest names have weighed in.
Zinedine Zidane was unequivocal in his support. When asked about the race, he said, “I would vote for Messi 100 times. I think people don’t really understand how incredible it is to still be among the best players in the world at 39.” He added that if anyone still doubts who the GOAT is, “honestly, that person has no place in the world of football”.
Thierry Henry, however, has a different view. He named Kylian Mbappé as his leading candidate, with Michael Olise “not far behind”. Henry praised Olise’s incredible season, where he registered 22 goals and 31 assists while starring in Bayern’s run to the Champions League semi-finals. He acknowledged Kane’s prolific year but argued that Olise was the standout performer in both the Bundesliga and on the international stage. It’s a sign of a healthy debate that legends see the race differently.
How the Winner is Chosen
The Ballon d’Or isn’t decided by public vote or a single committee. It’s decided by 100 journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s world ranking. Each journalist ranks their top 10 players, and the points are tallied to determine the winner. Voters are asked to consider three main criteria: individual performances, team achievements, and class and fair play.
When and Where to Watch
The ceremony will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the London Palladium, marking the first time it’s been held outside Paris. It will be streamed live and for free on DAZN in over 200 markets worldwide.
A Farewell Fit for a Legend
So, will Messi win his ninth Ballon d’Or? The bookmakers have Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal as the frontrunners, and they may well be right. But this isn’t really about who’s “deserving” in a purely statistical sense. It’s about acknowledging a moment.
We’ve been lucky enough to live in the same era as Lionel Messi. We’ve seen him do things no one else could do. We’ve watched him carry his country to the brink of glory, time and time again. The Messi Ballon d’Or would be a fitting end to a story that has given us so much joy.
But even if he doesn’t win, the celebration is already happening. Every time he steps on the pitch, every time he touches the ball, we’re saying goodbye. And we’re saying thank you. And we’re smiling, because we got to witness the magic.
