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Ballon d'Or Hints Suggest Lionel Messi Could Win Again After 2026 World Cup

How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

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First reported by N12 · 3 hours ago

What happened

The Ballon d'Or organizers hinted that Lionel Messi could win the award again after the 2026 World Cup, despite playing outside Europe. The 2026 World Cup outcome may determine the winner, with Messi favored if Argentina triumphs. Messi previously won the award in 2023 while at Inter Miami, based on his World Cup and PSG achievements.

01Ballon d'Or organizers suggest Messi could win again despite playing outside Europe.
02The 2026 World Cup outcome may decide the Ballon d'Or winner.
03Argentina's victory would boost Messi's chances, Spain's could favor Laimin Yamal or Rodri.
04Messi won the 2023 Ballon d'Or while at Inter Miami, based on World Cup and PSG success.
05This year’s Ballon d'Or race is unusually open with no clear favorite.
06The article was posted on the official Ballon d'Or site and social media in July 2026.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

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