Lionel Messi is on track to win his eighth Ballon d’Or for the 2022/23 season, thanks to his instrumental role in Argentina’s victory in the World Cup, ending a drought dating back to 1986.
Messi’s position as one of the greatest players in the history of football solidifies his status as a true legend in the game. Topping the Ballon d’Or list further reinforces his standing among the pantheon of the sport’s greatest players.
Despite his accomplishments, Messi’s career is far from over. He now plays for Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer club based in the United States. This leaves open the possibility of him adding to his record with more Ballon d’Or wins, which is considered the most prestigious individual honor in football.
However, as it stands, Messi cannot win another Ballon d’Or while playing for Inter Miami. The Sporting News explains why the game’s greatest player may never win the award again.
There are those who believe that Messi’s outstanding performances in the United States would be enough to crown him as the best player in the world. However, the fact remains that he would not be eligible to win the Ballon d’Or award for the 2023/24 season.
This is because the Ballon d’Or is exclusively open to players contracted to European clubs. The award, presented by French publication France Football, was originally limited to European players but was expanded in 1995 when George Weah, a player born in Liberia, won the award while playing for AC Milan.
Despite this change, the Ballon d’Or remains exclusive to Europe-based players. Therefore, Lionel Messi’s current affiliation with an American club renders him ineligible for consideration, regardless of his performance.
The same limitation applies to Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and would also need to return to Europe to be eligible for the award.
However, there is a pathway for Lionel Messi to potentially win a ninth Ballon d’Or in the future. In order to be considered for the award in subsequent years, Messi would need to play for a European club during the season on which the award is judged.
This scenario could become relevant if Messi decides to extend his career to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By briefly representing a European club before or after the tournament, Messi could make himself eligible for the award and continue his pursuit of individual excellence.
The same opportunity exists for Cristiano Ronaldo, who might also consider a return to Europe if Portugal triumphs in the 2024 European Championship, thus positioning himself for another shot at the Ballon d’Or.
In conclusion, while Lionel Messi’s current tenure with Inter Miami prevents him from winning another Ballon d’Or, his future prospects remain open. If he chooses to play for a European club at some point, he could potentially secure further honors and solidify his legendary status in the game of football.
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