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Decoding why Lionel Messi is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal to win his 49th career trophy, cementing his place in the Ballon d'Or race alongside Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane.

Published: Friday, 18 September 2026 at 7:00 AM
Decoding why Lionel Messi is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or
Key Things to Know
  • The writer argues Lionel Messi should be considered a top contender for the Ballon d'Or award.
  • Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal and assisted Casemiro in a 2-0 Campeones Cup final victory.
  • The victory over Cruz Azul marked the 49th trophy of Messi's professional career.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Writer Parag J Kalita argues that Lionel Messi remains a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or award following recent trophy-winning performances. The 39-year-old scored his 100th Inter Miami goal and assisted Casemiro to defeat Cruz Azul 2-0 in the Campeones Cup final, earning the 49th trophy of his career.

The article evaluates Messi against France Football's criteria, citing his individual statistics, team titles, and sportsmanship. While acknowledging contenders Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, Kalita argues that Messi, Yamal, and Kane represent the most balanced top three for the honor.

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