Will Messi win another Ballon d'Or? The Argentine has already received a vote

Lionel Messi has received another boost in the race for his ninth Ballon d'Or.

Details: According to reports, Ecuador's representative in the 2026 Ballon d'Or voting, sports journalist Patricio Cornejo Garcés, has confirmed that he has cast his vote for Lionel Messi to win the prestigious award. The Argentine has reportedly been placed at the top of the journalist's ballot, receiving the maximum possible number of points from Ecuador.

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Under the Ballon d'Or voting rules, each of the 100 highest-ranked nations in the FIFA men's rankings is represented by one journalist. Every member of the jury selects ten footballers from a shortlist of 30 nominees, with the first-place choice receiving 15 points.

This means Messi has reportedly secured the maximum points available from the Ecuadorian juror. However, the final winner will be determined by the combined votes of the entire international jury, rather than the preferences of individual representatives.

It is worth noting that Messi has already won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times. The Inter Miami captain is among the 30 nominees for the 2026 award, with the winner set to be announced on October 26 in London. This is the 17th Ballon d'Or nomination of the Argentine's career.

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