The Ballon d’Or ceremony is without question one of the biggest events in world football. Lionel Messi, the most decorated winner in the history of the award, has once again been named among the 30-man nominees.

Messi’s Ballon d’Or journey is one for the ages. It all started way back in 2009 when he won his first-ever golden trophy as an invincible kid at Barcelona. For the following decade and a half, he developed a habit of winning soccer’s most coveted individual award, claiming the honour in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

His pinnacle moment came in 2023 when he won his eighth and final Ballon d’Or, fresh from leading Argentina to World Cup success in Qatar, a record that may endure for generations.

Lionel Messi is the most prestigious player in Ballon d’Or history with eight titles to his name and is hoping to further solidify his famous career. Can he achieve it in the twilight of his career?

Will Lionel Messi attend 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony?

According to media reports online, Messi is set to skip the Ballon d’Or 2026 award ceremony at the London Palladium.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano took to his social media account to reveal that Messi would not attend the ceremony. As things stand, it looks like the No. 10 could be observing from afar this time.

The 39-year-old recently went to Oviedo, Spain, to collect the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports before flying back to the United States to go back to work with Inter Miami.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.