Ballon d'Or leaked! Messi will receive the trophy!
Lionel Messi is set to return to the Ballon d'Or stage, but this time in a completely unexpected role.
Details: According to journalist Juan Jesus, the legendary Argentine will attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony on October 26. However, Messi is not expected to take the trophy home. Instead, the eight-time winner will reportedly personally present the prestigious award to this year's winner.
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled to take place at the London Palladium Theatre in the British capital. UEFA has already officially confirmed the date and venue, although Messi's participation as an award presenter has not yet been confirmed by the organizers.
This year's event will be particularly special, as the Ballon d'Or celebrates its 70th anniversary. For the first time, the ceremony will be held in London, paying tribute to Stanley Matthews, the English football legend who became the award's inaugural winner back in 1956.
If the reports prove accurate, Messi will find himself in the unusual position of handing over a trophy he has won more times than anyone else in football history.
It's worth noting that Messi has won a record eight Ballons d'Or, most recently in 2023. The Inter Miami CF captain also remains productive on the pitch. According to the club's latest update, he has scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in 25 MLS appearances this season.
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Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
