Will Messi Win the Ballon d’Or Again?

Darwin, 19 June : The Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as the most prestigious individual award in football history, and no player is more closely associated with it than Lionel Messi.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has once again sparked debate over whether he could lift the golden trophy for a ninth time. With the World Cup now underway, that question has become one of the biggest talking points in the football world.

At 38 years of age, many footballers are nearing retirement. But in Messi’s case, the story appears to be quite the opposite.

In Argentina’s opening World Cup match against Algeria, Messi produced a stunning hat-trick, reminding everyone that while great players grow older, true greatness never fades.

The hat-trick not only gave Argentina a flying start to the tournament but also placed Messi among the greatest goalscorers in World Cup history. By equalling Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, he once again etched his name into football history.

Before the tournament, there were questions about whether the Argentine captain, playing in his sixth World Cup, could still dominate matches the way he once did.

The answer came on the pitch. From scoring goals and creating chances to controlling the tempo of the game, Messi looked every bit the player fans have admired for nearly two decades.

His club form has also been exceptional. This season with Inter Miami, he has already recorded 13 goals and 7 assists, after producing an astonishing 43 goals and 25 assists in the previous campaign.

Defying age, Messi continues to deliver outstanding performances with remarkable consistency.

However, the race for the Ballon d’Or is far from straightforward. Kylian Mbappé has begun the World Cup strongly for France, while Erling Haaland is also in excellent form for Norway, with both stars finding the net in their opening matches.

Yet Messi remains at the center of attention because he is doing more than just scoring goals—he is changing the entire narrative of the match whenever he steps onto the field.

Ballon d’Or history suggests that success in major international tournaments often plays a decisive role in the voting process. If Argentina can lift the World Cup once again and Messi continues to lead his team with performances of this caliber, a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or could well be within his reach.

The final answer, however, remains unknown. Many matches and dramatic moments still lie ahead.

One thing is certain: even at 38 years old, Lionel Messi is playing football at a level that has once again placed him firmly in the conversation as the best player in the world.