“Lionel Messi will not be presenting a trophy to any of the winners at the Ballon d’Or, as he has not been invited to do so,” Romano also added on his X account. It seems that this time, the No. 10 might be watching the event from afar.

Messi is the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history, with eight awards to his name, and he is looking to further cement his legendary career. Will he be able to do so in the twilight of his career?

The nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or

This prestigious individual award has 30 nominees, with Cristiano Ronaldo curiously absent from the list. What will ultimately determine the winner? A strong World Cup performance? Their current form at club level? Here is the complete list of players in contention for the award.

• Harry Kane
• Vinicius Jr.
• Fabian Ruiz
• Vitinha
• Ferran Torres
• William Saliba
• Dayot Upamecano
• Bruno Fernandes
• Pau Cubarsi
• Marc Cucurella
• Jude Bellingham
• Ousmane Dembele
• Luis Diaz
• Lamine Yamal
• Erling Haaland
• Gabriel Magalhaes
• Achraf Hakimi
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
• Lionel Messi
• Sadio Mane
• Marquinhos
• Lautaro Martinez
• Kylian Mbappe
• Nuno Mendes
• Joao Neves
• Michael Olise
• William Pacho
• Julian Quiñones
• Rodri
• Declan Rice

Messi is aiming to win his ninth Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or journey is nothing short of legendary, kicking off back in 2009 when he picked up his very first golden trophy as a unstoppable youngster at Barcelona. Over the next decade and a half, he turned winning soccer’s most prestigious individual award into a regular habit, taking home the top spot in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.

The ultimate crowning moment came in 2023, when he claimed his eighth and final Ballon d’Or—fresh off leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar—solidifying a record that will likely stand untouched for generations.

Key takeaways

• Lionel Messi is unlikely to present any Ballon d’Or trophy.
• 30 players were nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, with Cristiano Ronaldo notably omitted.
• Eight Ballon d’Or titles have been won by Lionel Messi throughout his career.

Messi will be present tonight at Red Bull Arena, but will start from the bench, due to tactical decision, as head coach Kily Gonzalez confirmed the Argentine maestro traveled with the squad to Harrison, New Jersey, after he arrived just days ago from Europe.

The appearance comes on the heels of headlines stirred by France Football, which recently unveiled its new “B.O.A.T.” (Best of All Time) award discussions—ranking Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Messi. Regardless, fresh off accepting accolades in Spain, Messi enters the match with renewed focus on his domestic campaign following his retirement from international soccer.

Inter Miami won’t be at full strength, however. Tomas Allende, Fricio Caicedo, Maximiliano Falcon, and Mateo Silvetti have all been ruled out due to a mix of injury concerns and yellow-card suspensions.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup: Suarez lead the attack

Even with missing personnel, Miami is starting with a star-studded XI featuring Luis Suarez and Casemiro, but Messi on the bench. Here is how the squad is lining up in New Jersey:

• Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair
• Defenders: Gonzalo Lujan, Casemiro, Micael, Sergio Reguilon
• Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, David Ayala, Matias Galarza
• Forwards: Riquelme Fillipi, Luis Suarez (C), German Berterame

Three points tonight would allow Miami to close the gap on Eastern Conference-leading Nashville SC. For New York Red Bulls, an upset victory would provide a major boost to its postseason aspirations.

Key takeaways

• Inter Miami faces the New York Red Bulls while defending its 2025 MLS Cup title.
• Lionel Messi will start from the bench tonight after manager Kily Gonzalez confirmed his squad availability.
• Four Inter Miami players were ruled out due to injuries and yellow-card suspensions.

In a surprising move, the official Ballon d’Or social media channels recently revealed that Ronaldo is currently leading the fan vote for the honor. Meanwhile, Messi remains in contention for the traditional Ballon d’Or as well, positioning the Argentine legend for a potential ninth career trophy.

Adding to the intrigue—and controversy—fans are reporting that participating in the voting requires a fee of €1 per vote. According to the official website, each paid vote includes an exclusive, high-resolution digital photograph of a Ballon d’Or winner from their award-winning year.

After being snubbed from the primary Ballon d’Or shortlist this year, the B.O.A.T. award offers Ronaldo a high-profile platform to return to the Paris ceremony after a four-year absence. Crucially, the voting format does not judge a player’s body of work as a whole; instead, voters select a specific single-year Ballon d’Or campaign from Ronaldo or Messi.

The full list of nominees

Alongside Ronaldo and Messi, several all-time greats have been nominated for the inaugural B.O.A.T. award, including Ronaldo Nazario, Michel Platini, and Johan Cruyff. Here is the full list of nominees and their eligible award years:

• Cristiano Ronaldo (2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2008)
• Lionel Messi (2023, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
• Ronaldo Nazário (2002, 1997)
• Marco van Basten (1992, 1989, 1988)
• Michel Platini (1985, 1984, 1983)
• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1981, 1980)
• Kevin Keegan (1979, 1978)
• Franz Beckenbauer (1976, 1972)
• Johan Cruyff (1974, 1973, 1971)
• Alfredo Di Stéfano (1959, 1957)

Why are there not other big names?

Under the criteria established by France Football, only multi-time Ballon d’Or winners—players who claimed the honor at least twice in their careers—were eligible for nomination. Iconic figures like Pele and Diego Maradona were excluded due to historical eligibility rules; prior to 1995, the Ballon d’Or was strictly awarded to European players, precluding non-European stars from contending during their prime.

Even as a fan-voted honor, anticipation is high surrounding France Football’s new flagship trophy. In soccer’s endless G.O.A.T. debate, this new hardware might just offer a definitive verdict on who stands above the rest in football history.

Key takeaways

• France Football introduced the Ballon d’Or of All Time award for the 2026 gala.
• Cristiano Ronaldo currently leads the fan vote for the inaugural award.
• Fans are required to pay a €1 fee per vote on the website.

The second came almost immediately after, in the 60th minute, on a great counterattack engineered by Luis Suarez. Suarez crossed the ball to his longtime teammate, and Messi finished with his left foot inside the goalkeeper’s right post to extend the lead.

Lionel Messi delivered another performance for the history books. With his brace, the Argentine captain led Inter Miami to a 3-0 victory, scoring the final two goals of the match in quick succession.

Records achieved vs Atlanta United

Messi tied Los Angeles FC’s Son Heung-min for the league lead with his 15th assist, becoming the first player in league history to record at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. He provided the assist to German Berterame on the opening goal.

Messi then added his league-leading 24th and 25th goals of the MLS season. Berterame assisted on both scores, and Luis Suarez snagged an assist on Messi’s second goal. The performance keeps Messi firmly at the top of the league’s goal-scoring leaderboard.

Messi won the Golden Boot Award last season with 29 goals. He and Josef Martinez are the only players in league history to score at least 25 goals in a regular season twice. Messi’s 40 goal contributions are nine shy of Carlos Vela’s record set in 2019 with Los Angeles FC, and the Miami legend has four matches remaining to break it.

The road to 936 Goals

The numerical impact of Messi’s career is split between the national team and the clubs where he has left his mark. Reaching the 936-goal milestone following the clash against Atlanta United reflects an unprecedented level of consistency within the sport’s elite.

• Club goals: Barcelona (672), Paris Saint-Germain (32), and Inter Miami (106).
• Argentina National Team goals: 126 official goals.
• Total assists: 427 distributed across a 22-year career.
• Total contributions: 1,363 direct goal involvements in just over 1,180 matches

Key takeaways

• Lionel Messi’s brace led Inter Miami to a 3-0 victory over Atlanta United.
• A 15th assist tied Lionel Messi with Son Heung-min for the MLS lead.
• 936 career goals were reached by Lionel Messi following the clash against Atlanta United.

Haaland stands as the fastest player in the history of the competition to hit 60 goals. For perspective, Ronaldo needed 98 matches to reach that total, while Messi required 80. Haaland hit the mark in 38 fewer games than Ronaldo and 20 fewer than Messi.

That scoring pace also stands out against other historic tournament goalscorers: Robert Lewandowski needed 85 games, Kylian Mbappe 89, Karim Benzema 111, and Raul Gonzalez 115. Haaland appears destined to be one of the century’s defining players, and maintaining this scoring rate will keep him among the greatest strikers in soccer history.

Another milestone for Haaland

The prolific goalscorer also became Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with 38 goals, overtaking Sergio Aguero. Having now surpassed every historic City legend in European competition, he continues his relentless pursuit of even more.

Enzo Maresca made three changes at the break, and those substitutions paid off as Erling Haaland pulled one back in the 53rd minute with a glancing header. That goal made him City’s outright top scorer in the Champions League, breaking past Sergio Aguero’s previous mark of 37 goals.

Maghnes Akliouche’s effort was spilled over the line by Gianluigi Donnarumma to re-establish the visitors’ three-goal cushion, but another Haaland strike in the 75th minute halved the deficit once more. The finish came off an assist from Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Haaland converting a right-footed shot from the center of the box.

Despite Haaland’s scoring exploits, Man City were unable to overcome a slow start on Wednesday—having trailed 3-0 at halftime—and eventually fell to a 4-2 defeat against the Champions League holders.

Key takeaways

• 61 career goals in 60 Champions League appearances were reached by Erling Haaland.
• Cristiano Ronaldo needed 98 matches and Lionel Messi required 80 to reach 60 goals.
• 38 Champions League goals made Erling Haaland Manchester City’s top scorer, overtaking Sergio Aguero.

With these strikes, Messi now records 934 official career goals, leaving him 68 goals away from reaching 1,000. The Argentine continues to post extraordinary numbers, though it remains unlikely he can achieve the milestone before the end of the year.

Not to be outdone this weekend was the leader in this race. Cristiano Ronaldo reached 980 official career goals on Friday and stands just 20 away from reaching the historic 1,000 mark. The Portuguese continues to pursue his personal goal, with every match for Al-Nassr representing a new opportunity to get closer to a benchmark he aims to hit before concluding his career.

Messi’s goals

At the start of the second half, with the match already 2-0 in favor of the Florida team, Messi appeared in the heart of the box to tap home a dangerous cross and extend the lead. A short while later, the goalscoring story repeated itself.

In the 60th minute, a loose ball fell to his feet near the edge of the box. From there, he began his signature moves to dodge defenders, driving deep into the box for a soft finish that left the goalkeeper helpless, before being substituted with the match already settled.

Ronaldo’s goal

Ronaldo was also in action this week with Al-Nassr, where he scored his 980th goal against Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League. Pouncing on a rebound spilled by the goalkeeper, he slotted home the match’s opening goal.

Ronaldo continues to pad his stats in 2026. The Portuguese forward has racked up 23 goals in official competitions across 2026 for both club and country. It remains to be seen whether he can keep adding goals with his country, given the controversial situation with Jorge Jesus that caused him to leave the national team camp.

Key takeaways

• 934 career goals were reached by Lionel Messi following two goals against D.C. United.
• 980 career goals were reached by Cristiano Ronaldo, placing him 20 away from 1,000.
• 23 goals in 2026 have been scored by Cristiano Ronaldo for club and country.

The goal came following a great play in the box by Luis Suarez, who provided the assist with a pass to the middle, allowing Leo Messi to step in and finish cleanly.

This goal effectively sealed the match, moving Inter Miami closer to the top spot while leaving strong impressions from Suarez and Messi, who remain elite despite their age and continue to carry the team on their shoulders.

Messi’s stunning brace

Messi completed his brace following a great team play by Inter Miami, who have performed at a high level while extending their lead to 4-0 with this goal by Messi.

The move ended with Suarez letting the ball pass through, allowing Messi to gather the ball at the edge of the box, dummy the defense, and weave past everyone before finishing in front of goal and placing it low to the goalkeeper’s left post. The strike brought him to his 23rd goal in MLS this season.

Lionel Messi’s numbers in Inter Miami victory

The Rosario forward completed a stellar performance before being substituted in the 63rd minute of the match. With two high-quality goals, the Herons’ captain led his team’s attack and registered a total of seven shots, four of which were on target.

In addition to his finishing efficiency, the Argentine attacker’s presence was decisive in playmaking in the final third of the pitch. Messi will play again with Inter Miami against New York City on Wednesday, October 14.

Key takeaways

• His 23rd MLS goal of the season was scored by Lionel Messi against D.C. United.
• The 63rd minute marked Lionel Messi’s substitution after registering seven shots.
• Wednesday, October 14 will feature Lionel Messi and Inter Miami facing New York City.

“Leo, all these years playing for your country form a story that will last forever. Nothing but respect for everything you’ve achieved with Argentina. Big hug,” Ronaldo commented under Messi’s post, which featured photos from his farewell appearance against Benin.

Beyond the staggering goal counts both superstars accumulated for Argentina and Portugal, the classy gesture highlighted the deep mutual respect between two icons whose unprecedented rivalry defined an era of world football.

Messi departs as the most decorated player in Argentine history, leaving behind a mountain of records and an unmatched legacy. Fittingly, he closed his international career in dramatic fashion, converting a late penalty kick at El Monumental in Buenos Aires to send the hometown crowd into euphoria one final time.

Cristiano’s future with Portugal still in limbo

While Messi enjoyed a celebrated send-off, Ronaldo’s international future remains uncertain. The Portuguese star recently attempted to quell retirement rumors after issuing a public apology for abruptly departing national team camp during the international break.

Though debate will endlessly persist over who boasts the greater international resume, both players leave an indelible mark on the global game, having transformed their respective national programs while delivering major continental trophies and world titles.

What’s next for Messi and Ronaldo?

On one hand, Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami for the remainder of the 2026 MLS campaign and through his current contract, which runs through 2028.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is expected to return to Portugal’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures while continuing his club campaign with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia as he pursues his historic push toward 1,000 career goals.

Key takeaways

• Cristiano Ronaldo publicly honored Messi’s legacy in a classy Instagram comment.
• Messi converted a late penalty kick in his farewell match against Benin.
• Lionel Messi officially retired from Argentina on October 6, 2026, after 20 years.

Messi finished with 126 international goals for Argentina, capped off with a goal against Benin. He is the team’s top scorer by a mile. Messi played for more than 20 years with the ‘Albiceleste‘. Messi‘s legacy is untouched.

As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he has scored 146 international goals for Portugal. Ronaldo is notoriously the player with the most goals in international soccer of all time. Even with Messi’s stratospheric numbers for Argentina, the Portuguese is ahead. Given how he hasn’t retired from the international scene, he can still add to his tally.

Messi and Ronaldo’s goals in depth

Not only are the quantity of goals other-worldly, but the averages too. That is arguably more impressive. When looking at a ‘per-game perspective‘, there is not an argument that these two are the best ever at the international soccer scene.

Argentina and Portugal are set for future success

While Argentina will have to do without Messi, whose age by the 2030 World Cup indicates he might not even be playing, the bases are very strong. Argentina has some good foundations to keep competing for all titles.

Portugal has Cristiano Ronaldo still as he ended his international retirement, but thinking he’ll be playing all the way to the next World Cup is a stretch. Still, the new generation and talent will be there ready to defy the odds once again.

More than 80.000 fans in attendance were near tears as Messi spoke candidly about what it means to represent Argentina at the maximum level. “Not coming here anymore and no longer being with the Argentina National Team is going to hurt a lot. If it were up to me, I would love to be here for my entire life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is.“

However, then Messi explained that the last World Cup took a heavy toll on him. “I think the time has come for me to retire. The last World Cup took a lot out of us after everything we went through. We arrived in the final with just enough left in us, but we fought until the very end, like we always did,” Messi said.

Messi leaves an incredible legacy behind, and a sense of pride for the Argentina shirt

“In 2022, we had the dream of fulfilling not only my dream, but the dream of an entire country: becoming world champions again. And we did it. “We won the World Cup, the Copa América, the Finalissima… I’m incredibly grateful for everything I experienced with this National Team,” Messi stated with immense pride. The standard was at an all-time high and he delivered.

“Every time we stepped onto the pitch, I knew we could compete against anyone because I had warriors beside me who were willing to leave absolutely everything out there. To achieve the biggest things, you need a strong group.” Messi commanded the new generation to stay close to each other, to be united, and fight for a common goal.

Messi trusts in Argentina’s successors

“I’m going to miss all of you so much, but I’ll always be on your side. I’ll be supporting these boys and everyone who comes after them,” Messi said. It was a tear-jerker moment at the highest of levels.

Now, it’s time for those who are next to live up to Messi’s expectations. Messi’s tally of goals and assists with Argentina is unprecedented. Messi left a full winning heritage on the Argentina national team, and now it’s up to the newer generation to keep fighting for silverware.

In 208 games for the ‘Albiceleste‘, Messi has scored 126 times and assisted 70 times for Argentina. Hence, Messi has contributed to 196 goals in 208 games, which is incredible.

Messi is undoubtedly the record-holder for the most goals in the Argentine national team. However, he also leads Argentina in the assists regard. He surpassed legends like Gabriel Batistuta, Diego Maradona, and Mario Kempes in all regards. There is a clear before and after Messi with his impact on Argentina.

Messi had a tough path to glory

Messi’s success with Argentina is one to admire. He lost the first four finals he played with the ‘Albiceleste‘ and then ended up with plenty of titles with Argentina.

He ended being the most decisive player in Argentina’s storied history. Messi overcame plenty of obstacles and got his glory either way. Hence, it’s not a fairy tale, but a resiliency story.

Messi’s goals and stats with Argentina by competition

• International Friendlies: 55 Goals
• FIFA World Cup Qualification: 36 Goals
• FIFA World Cup: 21 Goals
• Copa América: 14 Goals

Key takeaways

• Lionel Messi recorded 126 goals and 70 assists in 208 games for Argentina.
• Messi holds the national records for most goals and most assists for Argentina.
• The forward scored 54 goals in friendlies and 36 in World Cup qualifiers.