In a timely announcement, the Ballon d’Or organisers have commented on a rumoured rule that would make Lionel Messi ineligible for a ninth crown.
Messi has shot to the top of the betting odds by guiding Argentina to another World Cup final, leapfrogging him over England’s Harry Kane.
Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise have seemingly already ruled themselves out of the running due to France’s semi-final exit.
Lamine Yamal appears to be Messi’s only real competition, according to the odds, and the Spain winger has been considerably less effective in the Americas.
Yet despite Messi looking ready to add to his eight titles, there were rumblings in the French press that he would be ineligible.
Is Messi eligible to win the Ballon d’Or?
Messi is permanently stationed outside of Europe now, which would have made him ineligible in the past.
For his last win in 2023 he spent most of his time at PSG, despite later signing for Inter Miami.
However, even full-time in MLS, the Ballon d’Or organisers have clarified that he’s still eligable.
They write: “Created in 1956 by France Football, the Ballon d’Or originally rewarded the best European player playing in a European league.
“That lasted until 1995, when the trophy went global, while still being reserved for players playing in a European league.
“But since 2007, there’s been no restriction: the Ballon d’Or rewards the best player in the world, full stop.”
Ballon d’Or odds
- Lionel Messi 6/4
- Harry Kane 9/4
- Kylian Mbappe 4/1
- Lamine Yamal 4/1
- Jude Bellingham 8/1
Despite the clarification, it would still be unprecedented for Messi to win as a player outside of Europe.
Such a situation has never occurred before, with his 2023 win the closest, yet he played for PSG during the criteria period for voting.
Ballon d’Or wins by club
| Club | Players | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 8 | 12 |
| Barcelona | 6 | 12 |
| Juventus | 6 | 8 |
| Milan | 6 | 8 |
| Bayern Munich | 3 | 5 |
| Manchester United | 4 | 4 |
| Dynamo Kyiv | 2 | 2 |
| Inter Milan | 2 | 2 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2 | 2 |
| Hamburger SV | 1 | 2 |
| Ajax | 1 | 1 |
| Benfica | 1 | 1 |
| Blackpool | 1 | 1 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 1 | 1 |
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | 1 | 1 |
| Dukla Prague | 1 | 1 |
| Dynamo Moscow | 1 | 1 |
| Ferencváros | 1 | 1 |
| Inter Miami (shared with PSG) | 1 | 1 |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1 |
| Manchester City | 1 | 1 |
| Marseille | 1 | 1 |
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