Rabat – Argentine football star Lionel Messi is reportedly set to miss tonight’s 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London due to his demanding schedule with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the 39-year-old has decided against making another trip to Europe, despite being nominated for football’s most prestigious individual award.
The ceremony will take place at the London Palladium Theatre on Monday evening, marking the first time the event has been held in the British capital.
Messi’s reported absence comes after a busy period of international travel and club commitments.
The Argentina captain recently traveled to Spain to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo, recognizing his exceptional football career and charitable contributions.
He then returned to the United States to rejoin Inter Miami, featuring in Saturday’s MLS match against the New York Red Bulls.
Messi also attended the Messi Cup, a youth football tournament named after him, on Sunday.
Inter Miami commitments take priority
The Argentine forward’s decision is reportedly linked to Inter Miami’s upcoming league fixture against FC Cincinnati on Wednesday.
With the match scheduled just two days after the Ballon d’Or ceremony, another transatlantic journey would leave Messi with limited preparation and recovery time.
Marca reported that the forward prefers to remain in the United States rather than travel to London for the awards ceremony.
His participation had previously been uncertain, with reports suggesting that the Argentine would make a final decision following Inter Miami’s match against New York Red Bulls.
Messi among 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees
Despite his expected absence, Messi remains among the 30 nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or, an award he has won a record eight times.
His inclusion marks a return to the shortlist after missing out on nominations in the previous two editions.
The 2026 ceremony also celebrates the 70th anniversary of the award, which was first presented to English footballer Stanley Matthews in 1956.
Among this year’s nominees are Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi.
Messi’s absence has not been officially confirmed by the ceremony’s organizers, but reports from Spain indicate that he is not expected to attend the event.
