Can Lionel Messi Win The Ballon d'Or From MLS? Organisers Finally Settle Debate

Published 16 July 2026 · sports

Can Lionel Messi Win The Ballon d'Or From MLS? Organisers Finally Settle Debate Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 22:55 IST France Football has

Can Lionel Messi Win The Ballon d'Or From MLS? Organisers Finally Settle Debate Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 22:55 IST France Football has confirmed Lionel Messi remains fully eligible for the Ballon d'Or despite playing for Inter Miami, with his brilliant 2026 World Cup run boosting his chances. Rapid Read Lionel Messi might just enter the Ballon d'Or talks without even playing in Europe (AP) Lionel Messi’s extraordinary FIFA World Cup campaign has reignited a familiar question: Can a player based outside Europe still win the Ballon d’Or? The short answer is yes. With Messi emerging as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after firing Argentina into another World Cup final, organisers France Football have clarified that players do not need to represent a European club to be eligible for football’s most prestigious individual honour. Can you win the Ballon d’Or without playing for a European club? 🤔The answer ⤵️#ballondor — Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) July 16, 2026 No European Club? No Problem The Ballon d’Or has undergone several changes since it was introduced in 1956. Initially, only European players competing in European leagues could win the award. In 1995, eligibility expanded to players of all nationalities, provided they played for a European club.

That final restriction disappeared in 2007, transforming the Ballon d’Or into a truly global award presented to the world’s best player regardless of where they play. That means Messi, who has represented Inter Miami since 2023, remains fully eligible despite competing in Major League Soccer. In fact, the Argentine already made history by becoming the first men’s Ballon d’Or winner from a non-European club, lifting his record-extending eighth crown in 2023 while officially an Inter Miami player. France Football noted, however, that much of the voting period that year covered Messi’s final months at Paris Saint-Germain before his move to the United States, as the award has been judged over a single season rather than a calendar year since 2022. Messi’s World Cup Reignites Chances At 39, Messi has once again defied expectations. His two assists against England helped Argentina reach another World Cup final, while his performances have strengthened his place among the tournament’s standout players. He also became the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer and remains firmly in the Golden Boot race. The run has inevitably pushed him back into Ballon d’Or conversations despite playing outside Europe’s elite leagues. A second consecutive World Cup title with Argentina could significantly strengthen his case.