Messi Unlikely to Present Award at Ballon d’Or Gala Amid Attendance Doubts
Lionel Messi has not been invited to present a prize at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, with uncertainty also remaining over whether the Inter Miami captain will attend the October 26 gala at the London Palladium.
Earlier claims had suggested the eight-time winner could appear in London with his family and hand a trophy to one of the night’s leading recipients. That proposed role is now off the table: Messi will not take part in the presentation segment of the 70th Ballon d’Or.
Who is affected
- Lionel Messi: The Argentina forward is still among the 30 nominees and is chasing a record ninth Ballon d’Or, but has no confirmed ceremonial duty.
- Inter Miami: Messi’s club will await confirmation of his travel plans, with his attendance at the event not yet settled.
- Ballon d’Or nominees: The award’s contenders will not receive a trophy from Messi, despite reports of a potential handover by the former Barcelona star.
Messi’s place on the shortlist follows another major year for club and country. He helped Argentina reach the World Cup final, scoring eight goals and producing four assists in eight tournament appearances.
At Inter Miami, he recorded 23 goals and 11 assists in the MLS regular season, contributing directly to 34 goals for the Florida club.
What happens next
The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London. Organisers are yet to confirm whether Messi will be in the audience as he waits to discover if he has won the Golden Ball again.
