Messi makes Ballon d’Or 2026 men’s top 10 finalists on his record 17th nomination, but why has he skipped the ceremony? | Football News
The biggest names in football have arrived at London’s Palladium for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, but one familiar face is conspicuously absent from the occasion. Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal have taken their seats after the red-carpet arrivals, while Lionel Messi, a nominee for the award for the 17th time in his career, is nowhere to be seen. His absence has raised an obvious question, particularly after reports suggested he could play a special role in the ceremony.
Messi misses the ceremony as the final countdown begins
The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony was due to begin earlier on Monday, October 26, but heavy London traffic pushed the main event at the Palladium back by 30 minutes. The red-carpet arrivals have since wrapped up, with Mbappé drawing attention in a custom suede tuxedo, while Kane and teenage sensation Yamal have also arrived ahead of the announcement.Other prominent attendees include Alexia Putellas, Ousmane Dembélé and former football great Andriy Shevchenko, but Messi will not be joining them in London. The Argentine remains among the 30 nominees and has secured a place in the top 10 of this year’s rankings, making his absence particularly noticeable as the ceremony gets underway.Messi has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, most recently in 2023, and has been named among the top 10 finalists for the 2026 award following another impressive campaign with Inter Miami and Argentina. However, his decision to remain in the United States appears to reflect his demanding schedule rather than any lack of interest in football’s most prestigious individual honour.
A demanding schedule leaves little room for another flight
Messi had only recently returned to the United States after travelling to Oviedo, Spain, to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. Another transatlantic journey to London would have meant further travel with little time to recover, particularly with Inter Miami approaching an important stage of its MLS campaign.
Lionel Messi becomes the first footballer to individually win Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias Award, recognising sporting excellence and philanthropy/ Image: Instagram
Inter Miami played the New York Red Bulls on October 24 and are scheduled to face FC Cincinnati on October 28, leaving Messi and the coaching staff focused on preparation, rest and recovery. The upcoming fixture carries added importance as the club works towards the MLS play-offs, with Messi still central to its hopes of finishing the season stronglyHe also has responsibilities away from the senior team, with the second edition of the Messi Cup taking place in South Florida from October 25 to November 1. The international under-16 youth tournament is being hosted at Inter Miami’s stadium, and Messi is involved in its organisation, giving him another commitment during the same week as the Ballon d’Or ceremony
The reported presenter role never materialised
Speculation about Messi’s possible attendance gathered momentum after reports attributed to independent journalist Juan Jesus suggested that he would attend the ceremony with his family and personally present the trophy to this year’s winner. The idea quickly attracted attention because Messi remains a nominee himself, creating an amusing possibility if he were to win his ninth Ballon d’Or.However, neither Messi’s attendance, his family’s reported presence nor the proposed presenter role had been officially confirmed by France Football or UEFA. Subsequent reporting also indicated that Messi had not received an invitation to present a trophy, with transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano among those reporting that he would not be performing that role.The suggestion that Messi might hand the award to Yamal had also fuelled talk of a symbolic passing of the torch, particularly because the two share a remarkable connection through a 2007 photograph taken for a charity calendar. In the image, a 20-year-old Messi posed with a five-month-old Yamal, long before the youngster emerged as one of football’s leading prospects.That story would have made for a memorable ceremony, but the presenter rumours were never established as fact, and Messi’s absence means the anticipated moment will not take place as reported.
A 17th nomination adds another chapter to Messi’s record
Messi’s absence does not diminish the significance of his return to the shortlist after missing out on nominations in the previous two editions. His 2026 campaign included helping Argentina reach the World Cup final, scoring eight goals during the tournament, while he also continued to produce for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.The nomination takes his total to 17, spanning two decades from his first inclusion in 2006, and leaves him second behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has received 18 nominations. Messi remains the only player to have won the award while representing a club outside Europe, and his four consecutive victories between 2009 and 2012 remain unmatched.Whether he adds a ninth trophy or watches the outcome from home, Messi’s place among the most decorated players in the award’s history is already secure. For now, though, the London ceremony will proceed without him, as the remaining contenders wait to discover who takes home the 2026 prize.
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