Ballon d’Or: Which countries and players have won the most awards?
Argentina’s Lionel Messi has won all of his country’s eight prizes, while Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has won five.
![A banner at a university in Buenos Aires reads "In a democracy, the law is upheld." [Lagmi Chavez / Al Jazeera]](https://aljazeeranews-mggx1uo47w.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DDD9A9EB-2406-4A43-857E-28D4E8ED7B5B_1_102_o-1792110589.jpeg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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‘Utmost respect’: Ronaldo pays tribute to Messi after Argentina farewell
‘I have the utmost respect for what you’ve accomplished with Argentina,’ Ronaldo writes in response to Messi’s post.
‘He is our idol:’ Why Lionel Messi means so much to fans in India
Almost 15,000km away from Argentina, Messi’s magical presence on the field left a lasting mark on fans across India.
From: NewsFeed
Head coach Scaloni’s emotional farewell to ‘irreplaceable’ Messi
Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni said it was an ‘emotional day’ as Lionel Messi ends his international career.
Published On 7 Oct 2026
Lionel Messi’s last game for Argentina ends in triumph and tears
Messi scored a goal and created two others as Argentina bid farewell to its most decorated footballer with a 3-0 win.
From: NewsFeed
Lionel Messi plays final Argentina game to roaring Buenos Aires farewell
Lionel Messi played his final game for Argentina in a friendly against Benin, ending a 21-year international career.
Published On 7 Oct 2026
From: NewsFeed
Fans flood Buenos Aires ahead of Messi’s final international match
Thousands of Argentina fans poured into Buenos Aires’ Monumental stadium ahead of Lionel Messi’s final match.
Published On 6 Oct 2026
From: NewsFeed
Messi super fan travels from India to Argentina for idol’s final game
Lionel Messi super fan Yadil M Iqbal traveled from Kerala, India, to Buenos Aires to watch him play his last game.
Published On 6 Oct 2026
Lionel Messi prepares to bid Argentina farewell in Buenos Aires
The friendly marks a symbolic passing of the torch for a player whose international legacy includes a World Cup title.
Argentina’s Milei threatens legal action over Falklands oil project
Argentina gives UK two weeks to cease operations or face maritime court action.
Argentina’s poverty rises to 32 percent under Milei with more pain forecast
A 4.1-percentage-point rise in poverty in the first half of 2026 could be bad news for Milei’s re-election bid.
![People sit inside a chapel while waiting for a meal distribution, as soup kitchens, barter clubs and families taking out short-term loans for groceries are exposing the social strains emerging under Argentine President Javier Milei's austerity program, barely a year before Argentina's next presidential election, in Buenos Aires' Villa 31 neighborhood, Argentina, August 28, 2026 [Agustin Marcarian/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-mggx1uo47w.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-24T111706Z_92623523_RC2R7NAS0BJF_RTRMADP_3_ARGENTINA-ECONOMY-MILEI-1790290200.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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