Lionel Messi closed his European chapter long ago, joining Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in the United States back in 2023. Even so, the beckoning of a ninth Ballon d’Or lies before the Argentina captain. With football gripped by World Cup final fever, France Football magazine has offered an important clarification about the award: its organisers say a footballer does not have to play for a European club to win the Ballon d’Or — meaning the prize is open to the best performer playing anywhere in the world.
The Ballon d’Or was once limited to players in European leagues; though it took on an international form in 1995, playing in Europe remained a condition until the restriction was lifted in 2007, after which the world’s best player has been awarded it regardless of league or club. Explaining this, the organisers cited the last 18 editions: “Analysing the last 18 editions, we looked at whether it is realistic for a player outside Europe to win the Ballon d’Or. In 2007 Kaka, in 2008 Cristiano Ronaldo and in 2009 Lionel Messi all won the UEFA Champions League that year, the highest level of club football; and when Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Rodri and Ousmane Dembele won, they were all playing in Europe.”
As the exception, the organisers named Messi: “The only footballer to win the Ballon d’Or while playing outside Europe is Lionel Messi. At the 67th Ballon d’Or ceremony, held on 30 October 2023, the Argentine star was already playing for Inter Miami. So the eight-time winner became the first male footballer to win the Ballon d’Or representing a non-European club.” It added: “Nothing is impossible with the Ballon d’Or, and any footballer can win it.” The clarification comes with Messi in superb World Cup form, having scored eight goals and made four assists in seven matches to take Argentina to a second successive final — keeping the Miami star firmly in the conversation for a ninth Ballon d’Or.
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