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Messi to present 2026 Ballon d'Or in London, strong signal for Yamal

Lionel Messi will present the Ballon d'Or trophy in person at the ceremony on October 26 in London. His presence fuels speculation about Lamine Yamal, his presumed successor at FC Barcelona.

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Messi to present 2026 Ballon d'Or in London, strong signal for Yamal
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Lionel Messi will personally present the 2026 Ballon d’Or at the ceremony held on October 26 in London, according to journalist Juan Jesus. Far from a purely symbolic role, the Argentine eight-time winner will be tasked with handing the trophy to the new winner on stage.

The information, revealed on X, immediately fuels speculation about the identity of the winner. For many observers, Messi’s attendance is a significant indicator in favor of Lamine Yamal. A legend of FC Barcelona now at Inter Miami, the Argentine would thus pass the torch to the player that supporters and specialists present as his successor in the blaugrana shirt.

The successor to Ousmane Dembélé — crowned French champion and Ligue des Champions winner with PSG — will be known in less than two weeks. The Parisian is among the favorites, but the list of contenders is long: Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, Michael Olise, Fabian Ruiz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are all vying for the prestigious France Football trophy.

Messi himself could have aspired to a ninth award had he won the 2026 World Cup final with Argentina. At 39 years old, the striker will likely have to settle for a place in the top 10. But it is on stage, trophy in hand, that he will play the leading role of the London evening.

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