Lionel Messi's path to a record-extending ninth Ballon d'Or has been made more complicated by the organizers of the award. France Football, the organizers of the Ballon d'Or, have stated that lifting the World Cup alone has never been enough to guarantee the Golden Ball.
Messi has enjoyed a sensational tournament, scoring eight goals and providing four assists heading into the final. However, France Football insists that history tells a more complicated story. The Ballon d'Or's official website examined the relationship between World Cup success and the award, disclosing that only four of the seven World Cup-winning nations since 1995 have produced the Ballon d'Or winner in the same cycle. Zinedine Zidane achieved the feat after France's triumph in 1998, followed by Ronaldo Nazario in 2002, Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, and Messi after Argentina's victory at Qatar 2022.
There have also been notable exceptions. In 2010, Messi claimed the Ballon d'Or despite Spain winning the World Cup through stars such as Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Four years later, Cristiano Ronaldo finished ahead of Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, while Luka Modric won the 2018 award after Croatia reached the final, ahead of France's Antoine Griezmann. France Football summed up its position by stating: "Lifting the World Cup alone has never been enough to guarantee the Golden Ball."
Messi's performances in North America have reignited the debate over this year's award. The 39-year-old has delivered one of the finest international campaigns of his career, putting himself firmly among the favourites. His case, however, is unique. Since leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine icon has played for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer rather than in Europe, where Ballon d'Or voters have traditionally placed significant weight on performances in the Champions League and elite domestic leagues.
If Messi leads Argentina to another World Cup title with a decisive display in the final, his claim will become even stronger. Even so, he faces stiff competition from Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, with the Spanish teenager viewed as his biggest challenger after an outstanding club season and Spain's run to the final. Prediction platform Polymarket Sports currently ranks Messi as the favourite, giving him a 31.7% chance of lifting a historic ninth Ballon d'Or. The outcome of the World Cup final will have a significant impact on the Ballon d'Or award, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Messi can make history once again.
Source: Yen Sports
