How Lionel Messi secured surprising first-place votes in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings despite finishing fifth overall.
Despite finishing in a surprising fifth position during the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or rankings, football star Lionel Messi still managed to secure crucial first-place votes from six different countries, showcasing his enduring global legacy in the sport.
The official voting breakdown, released by the prestigious French publication France Football on its website, revealed that journalists representing nations like Argentina and traditional rivals Brazil strongly backed the Inter Miami forward as the best player in the world.
Each journalist’s top selection earned the 39-year-old player 15 valuable points, contributing directly to his final tally of 612 points in the global standings, according to information published by punchng.
Voting Breakdown For Lionel Messi In 2026
The complete list of countries that awarded their top ballot to the veteran forward includes Argentina, Brazil, Belarus, China, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, Brazil selecting Lionel Messi first stands out due to the historic football rivalry between the two South American powerhouses.
With a total of six first-place ballots, the Inter Miami star actually outperformed the previous year's winner, Ousmane Dembélé, who did not manage to secure a single first-place vote on any of the 100 ballots submitted during this voting cycle.
Overall Winner And Closest Podiums In History
The overall 2026 Ballon d’Or award ultimately went to Harry Kane, who accumulated 1,055 points to edge out runner-up Kylian Mbappé by a razor-thin margin of fewer than 41 points. Organisers noted the final gap was just 28 points.
In the final standings behind the winner, Lamine Yamal captured the third position with 881 points, while defensive midfielder Rodri occupied the fourth spot with 726 points, just ahead of Lionel Messi in fifth place.
Comparison With Previous Winner Ousmane Dembélé
While Lionel Messi claimed six first-place nods, the 2025 winner Ousmane Dembélé finished seventh overall with 418 points. Despite lacking a top spot, Ousmane Dembélé earned strong backing as the runner-up from journalists across France, Nigeria, China, Haiti, and other nations.
The competitive nature of the 2026 award marked the fourth-closest men’s voting history for the trophy, driven by the intense race between Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé at the very top of the global rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voted for Lionel Messi in the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Journalists from Argentina, Brazil, Belarus, China, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates ranked Lionel Messi in first place on their ballots.
Where did Lionel Messi finish in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings?
Lionel Messi finished in fifth place overall in the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or standings with 612 points.
Who won the 2026 Ballon d’Or award?
Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or with 1,055 points, narrowly beating Kylian Mbappé by 28 points in one of the closest votes in history.
How many first-place votes did Ousmane Dembélé receive?
Ousmane Dembélé did not finish first on any of the 100 ballots, ultimately placing seventh overall in the competition rankings.
