Argentina stars Messi and Lautaro nominated for 2026 Ballon d'Or | Lautaro Martínez

Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez are nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Argentine outlet MinutoUno reported on Wednesday that both forwards have been included on the shortlist for football's most prestigious individual award.

This news comes during a busy period for the Argentina national team as they prepare for the final stretch of South American World Cup qualifying. The team managed by Lionel Scaloni remains unbeaten in the qualification campaign and sits comfortably at the top of the table. Fans can track the official schedule on our fixtures page.

What does this nomination mean for Argentina?

Having two representatives in the Ballon d'Or race highlights the golden era of Argentine football. Messi, aged 39, is chasing a record-extending ninth trophy after a season where he remained decisive. Meanwhile, Lautaro Martínez, captain of Inter Milan and aged 28, earns his third consecutive nomination backed by a strong goalscoring record. The duo was instrumental in winning the 2024 Copa América and in the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Scaloni's technical staff has a settled squad, with the full roster and data available on the official squad list. The team's defensive solidity is a cornerstone, having conceded only three goals in eight qualifying matches.

How have Messi and Lautaro performed this season?

Seasonal statistics support both players. Messi finished the latest MLS season with 12 goals and 15 assists for Inter Miami, alongside his undisputed leadership for the national team. Lautaro, for his part, was the top scorer in Italy's Serie A with 24 goals, capping the campaign with the scudetto for Inter. Their partnership in the Argentina attack has produced 7 goals in official matches over the last 12 months.

The list of 30 nominees will be narrowed down to a podium at a gala in Paris on December 2nd. The winner is chosen by an international jury of specialized journalists.

Who are the other favourites for the award?

The competition this year is fierce. Stars like Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid are also strong contenders, thanks to their exceptional club seasons. However, performance in national team competitions often weighs heavily in the voting, a factor that works in favour of the Argentines following their recent continental success.

The last time an Argentine player won the Ballon d'Or was Messi himself in 2023. La Albiceleste's next official match is on October 9th, against Venezuela in Buenos Aires, for the ninth round of World Cup qualifiers.