Messi’s Fifth‑Place Finish Makes Him Third Oldest Player Ever in Ballon d’Or Top‑Ten
Messi’s historic fifth‑place finish at the 2026 Ballon d’Or
At 39 years and four months, Lionel Messi secured a fifth‑place finish in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, placing him among the oldest players ever to appear in the award’s top ten. Only goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was 39 years and ten months old when he made the list in 2017, and legendary winger Stanley Matthews, who was 41 when he won the inaugural edition in 1956, have been older.
How the ranking unfolded
The ceremony, held in London, saw England striker Harry Kane crowned the winner. Kylian Mbappé took second place, teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal captured third, and Real Madrid’s Rodri finished fourth – just ahead of Messi. The Argentine captain was absent from the gala, but his placement still etched his name into the tournament’s history.
World Cup heroics underpin the vote
Messi’s strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a key factor in his Ballon d’Or campaign. He netted eight goals and provided four assists, earning the Silver Ball as the tournament’s second‑best player and guiding Argentina to the final. Those performances reinforced his reputation as one of the game’s most consistent elite players, even as he approaches the age of 40.
Messi’s record‑breaking Ballon d’Or résumé
With eight Ballon d’Or trophies already in his cabinet, Messi remains the most decorated player in the award’s history. The 2026 fifth‑place finish marks his 17th appearance in the voting process, a longevity rarely seen in modern football. Below is a concise overview of every year Messi has featured in the Ballon d’Or rankings:
- 2006 – 20th
- 2007 – 3rd
- 2008 – 2nd
- 2009 – Winner
- 2010 – Winner
- 2011 – Winner
- 2012 – Winner
- 2013 – 2nd
- 2014 – 2nd
- 2015 – Winner
- 2016 – 2nd
- 2017 – 2nd
- 2018 – 5th
- 2019 – Winner
- 2021 – Winner
- 2023 – Winner
- 2026 – 5th
Ronaldo’s contrast
For comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo’s last appearance inside the top ten came in 2021, when he finished sixth at 36 years and nine months old while playing for Manchester United. Since then, the five‑time winner has not cracked the top ten, highlighting how Messi continues to be a regular fixture in the conversation while his long‑time rival has faded from the shortlist.
What this means for the sport
Messi’s placement underscores a shifting narrative in world football: age is becoming less of a barrier for elite performance. The fact that a 39‑year‑old forward can still compete with younger stars such as Mbappé and Yamal illustrates the evolution of training, nutrition, and sports science. It also adds a new chapter to the legacy of a player who has already rewritten countless records.
As the 2026 Ballon d’Or voting concludes, fans and pundits alike will be watching to see whether Messi can add another trophy to his collection or if a younger generation will finally seize the moment. Either way, his fifth‑place finish has already cemented his status as one of the oldest top‑ten finishers in the award’s storied history.
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