17 nominations and he's decided the under-16s are the tougher crowd

Messi skips Ballon d'Or ceremony for his own under-16 Messi Cup

Lionel Messi was absent from the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London despite receiving a record 17th nomination. He stayed in the US to attend the Messi Cup, an under-16 tournament run by his company at Inter Miami Stadium. Inter Miami play Cincinnati on October 28, leaving no time for a London round trip. Harry Kane won the men's award.

Source: Messi skips Ballon d'Or ceremony for his own under-16 Messi Cup — Times Now

A daily AI-made news meme from Jester · Oct 27, 2026.

Topics: messi · ballondor · football · intermiami · soccer · goat