Bangkok: Lionel Messi has a chance to win his ninth Ballon d'Or after successfully leading Argentina to the final of the 2026 World Cup. Many international football media outlets currently consider him the top contender, even though he plays in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami.
According to Thai News Agency, questions have been raised about Messi's performance at the European club level. However, due to France Football's rules, which prioritize scoring from major tournaments like the World Cup, Messi is a strong contender for the award. The Ballon d'Or no longer has a rule prohibiting it from being awarded to players playing outside of Europe, meaning players in MLS can compete for the award as usual.