While being in the MLS, Lionel Messi has managed to be included in the 30-nominee list for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, prompting questions whether he's the only player in the league to ever be nominated. Lionel Messi secured a spot on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, recognized for his elite production with Inter Miami and his focal role during Argentina’s World Cup run. Earning inclusion while competing outside Europe’s top five leagues, questions arise regarding whether any other active Major League Soccer player has accomplished the feat. On Tuesday, September 8, France Football unveiled its 30-player nomination list recognizing the world’s standout performers over the past season. In a field headlined by 10 PSG players, European mainstays, and Saudi Pro League stars Julian Quinones and Sadio Mane, Messi stands as the lone MLS representative on the ballot. The nomination follows a prolific campaign with Inter Miami alongside his individual performance at the 2026 World Cup, where he led Argentina to the final with eight goals and four assists. Fresh off capturing the 2025 MLS Cup after recording 43 goals and 25 assists in 49 overall matches, Messi has maintained his dominance in 2026 with 21 goals and 11 assists through 24 matches. For the first time in the honor’s history, the Ballon d’Or ceremony will move away from Paris to take place at The London Palladium in England. With the gala scheduled for Monday, October 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET, and Inter Miami set to host FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, October 28, Messi’s personal attendance at the event remains unconfirmed. Our captain has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ✨🔟 pic.twitter.com/FoenOXgPiW— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 8, 2026 Messi not the first MLS player to feature on the shortlist Messi previously set historic precedent by becoming the first active MLS player to win the award in 2023, though that vote primarily celebrated his 2022 World Cup triumph. His 2026 nomination, while fortified by international play, reflects a full year of dominance in MLS as the league’s reigning MVP. However, the Argentine icon was not the first player nominated for the Ballon d’Or while actively rostered in MLS. That benchmark belongs to David Beckham, who earned a nomination in 2007 after joining the LA Galaxy. Ahead of the 2007 edition, organizers at France Football modified the voting rules by expanding eligibility globally. Prior to that decision, the award was strictly limited to players competing for clubs under UEFA jurisdiction. David Beckham #23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Beckham played a key role in helping Real Madrid secure the 2006-07 La Liga title over FC Barcelona during his final season in Spain. Upon completing his high-profile transfer to the Galaxy in July 2007, the English midfielder was named to the 50-player shortlist that Octobera , vote ultimately won by Brazilian star Kaka, while Beckham finished without receiving a vote.
The Inter Miami captain produced another remarkable performance against Atlanta United, adding to a growing list of achievements that underline just how extraordinary his time in the league has been. Lionel Messi continues to make history in Major League Soccer, even at an age when most players of his generation have long since stepped away from the highest level. The Inter Miami captain produced another remarkable performance against Atlanta United, adding to a growing list of achievements that underline just how extraordinary his time in the league has been. At 39, Messi is still producing goals and assists at a remarkable rate, with his influence extending far beyond individual matches. His latest accomplishment places him in territory no other player in MLS history has reached, further strengthening his already extraordinary legacy in American soccer. The milestone arrived during Inter Miami‘s 2-2 draw with Atlanta United on September 6, when Messi supplied two assists. He first delivered a corner for Casemiro to head home before finding Luis Suarez with a perfectly weighted through-ball for Miami’s second goal. Those two assists took Messi to 18 goals and 12 assists in 20 MLS appearances during the 2026 regular season, giving him 30 goal contributions for the campaign. More importantly, those numbers completed a feat that had never previously been achieved in league history. Messi is now the first player in MLS history to record at least 30 goal contributions in three different seasons. The achievement was confirmed after the Atlanta match, adding another remarkable chapter to his increasingly decorated MLS career. The numbers behind Messi’s three-season record Messi first reached the 30-goal-contribution threshold in 2024, despite playing relatively few matches. The figures credit him with 23 goals and 13 assists in 25 appearances, giving him a total of 36 goal contributions. His 2025 campaign took that production to another level. Messi finished that year with 43 goals and 26 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions, while his MLS regular-season numbers alone were enough to put him comfortably beyond the 30-contribution mark. Season👕 Games⚽ Goals🅰️ Assists🔥 G/A202425231336202549432669202624211132Total988750137 Now in 2026, Messi has reached the benchmark again with even fewer appearances. The all-competitions figures currently stand at 21 goals and 11 assists in 24 games, while his MLS regular-season tally has already reached 30 contributions. Minor differences can appear in assist totals depending on whether a source counts secondary assists and whether it is using regular-season or all-competition statistics. However, the central achievement remains unchanged: no other MLS player has produced 30 or more goals and assists in three separate seasons. Lionel Messi of Inter Miami (2026) Messi continues to defy expectations at 39 When Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, there was widespread excitement about what one of football’s greatest-ever players could accomplish in the final stage of his career. Instead of simply winding down, however, the Argentine has continued to dominate games and rewrite MLS records. His 2025 season was particularly spectacular, with Messi collecting major individual honors while helping Inter Miami compete for trophies. His influence has continued into 2026, demonstrating that his vision, finishing, and ability to create chances remain at an elite level.
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