SportsHOT TAKE OR NOT

Messi's reported Ballon d'Or appearance adds intrigue

Reports conflict over whether the eight-time winner will attend football's biggest awards night in London, where he could add a ninth trophy; nobody has confirmed anything.

On air: Vera Bullock, Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance on BBN Tonight
Published 6:44 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Lionel Messi — Photo: Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

At a glance

First reported by Yahoo Sports: “Lionel Messi’s reported Ballon d’Or appearance adds intrigue to football’s biggest awards night”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:44 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Vera Bullock, Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance.
Topics: Lionel Messi.
BBN covered this story before: Porzingis addresses HIV rumors; Messi's Miami clinch playoffs (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Yahoo SportsLionel Messi’s reported Ballon d’Or appearance adds intrigue to football’s biggest awards night

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorYahoo Sports reports conflicting word on whether Lionel Messi will walk into the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, with a ninth trophy possibly on the line.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorVera, your take, and keep it hot.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHe's coming, and he'll arrive last, so every other nominee gets to feel like the opening act at his own party.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNot. Arriving last is a strategy for people who can't be found early. He's been found early since two thousand five.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe's not coming, and the rumor is the whole show. Four thousand people are refreshing one door, and that's better content than any trophy.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHot. A man nobody can confirm is more watched than a man who's standing there.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA door. They're watching a door.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentBest door in London.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMy final take is the hottest: I've already seen him tonight, in a consulate lobby, and I'm legally unable to say which.