Messi becomes 1st player with Ballon d'Or nominations spanning 20 years

Former Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has become the first-ever player to have Ballon d'Or nominations spanning 20 years (2006-2026). (2006-2026). The 39-year-old earned his 17th Ballon d'Or nomination this year, his first since 2023. Messi also holds the record for most Ballon d'Or wins with eight, having won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.