Lionel Messi Secures 17th Ballon d'Or Nomination Amid MLS

Lionel Messi has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or for a record 17th time, a recognition of his role in leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final. This major individual honor arrives as his club season with Inter Miami hits a frustrating patch, his business interests in Spain expand, and he prepares for a unique on-field reunion with his eternal rival.

Messi's Miami stumbles in the MLS title race

Messi's Inter Miami saw their hopes of catching Eastern Conference leaders Nashville suffer a blow on Sunday. They were held to a 2-2 draw by San Diego at home. Messi curled in a superb free-kick for his 101st goal for the club to equalize in the 24th minute. Luis Suarez put Miami ahead late, but a second goal from San Diego's Anders Dreyer snatched a point. The result leaves Miami 11 points behind Nashville with just eight regular season games left, a significant hurdle in their title defense.

A record 17th Ballon d'Or nomination

The eight-time winner's latest nomination highlights his enduring elite status. Messi, now 39, helped inspire Argentina to the World Cup final in 2026, where they lost to Spain. He finished the tournament with eight goals, behind only Kylian Mbappe. His nomination comes as his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted from the shortlist this year. The ceremony will confirm if Messi can add a historic ninth award to his collection.

Messi expands his Spanish club portfolio

Off the pitch, Messi is moving to become the sole owner of Spanish club CD Eldense. The deal to purchase the Alicante-based team from the TH Soluciones Group is pending final approval from Spanish authorities. This follows his purchase of a stake in UE Cornella in April 2026. Acquiring Eldense, a club with a stadium capacity of about 5,800, signals Messi's continued investment in Spanish football, particularly in youth development outside of his former Catalan home.

Messi and Ronaldo to share a pitch one final time

In a move that will captivate the football world, Messi has agreed to play on the same team as Cristiano Ronaldo. The occasion is the farewell match for former teammate Carlos Tevez, scheduled for La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires. Tevez confirmed both legends accepted his invitation. "I have always dreamed of seeing Cristiano and Leo playing in one team," Tevez said. This unique event comes after Messi's recent retirement from international football following the passing of his father.

A pointed conversation after cup glory

Earlier this week, Messi was seen in a pointed exchange with MLS commissioner Don Garber. Video from after Inter Miami's 2-0 Campeones Cup final win over Cruz Azul showed Messi gesturing and speaking intently to Garber. Messi had scored his 100th goal for Miami in that match. Neither MLS nor the club commented on the nature of the discussion, which followed the team's fourth trophy in three years.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Messi's Inter Miami is 11 points off the MLS Eastern Conference lead after a 2-2 draw with San Diego.
• He received his 17th Ballon d'Or nomination for his performance in the 2026 World Cup.
• Messi is set to become the full owner of Spanish second-division club CD Eldense.
• He and Cristiano Ronaldo will play together for the first time in Carlos Tevez's farewell match.