Eight-time winner Messi missing from London's Ballon d'Or night: a packed schedule, a 14,000 km trip and his own Messi Cup are the reasons
Ronaldo Nazario, Thierry Henry, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal were among the many stars at the glittering Ballon d'Or ceremony in London. But Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record eight times, was not seen at the prestigious event.
One reason for Messi's absence is Inter Miami's busy schedule. Inter Miami are set to play FC Cincinnati next in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Flying from Miami to London and back to Miami means enduring a journey of about 14,000 kilometres. Travelling that distance between two MLS matches would have left Messi no chance to rest at all.
Inter Miami most recently played Red Bull New York in MLS and lost that match 2-0. Messi was brought on in the 55th minute of that game, as a substitute.
After the Red Bull New York match, Inter Miami coach Kili Gonzales noted that Messi was used as a substitute mainly to recover from the strain of the long journey from Oviedo in Spain to Miami. Messi had recently travelled to Oviedo to receive the Princess of Asturias Award.
Another reason for his absence from the Ballon d'Or is the staging of Messi's own under-16 football competition, the Messi Cup. The international youth football tournament has entered its second year this year. This year it is being held from October 25 to November 1 at the Inter Miami stadium.
Inter Miami currently sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference points table. They have 55 points from 31 matches; the team has won 17 matches, drawn four and lost 10.
New England are second on goal difference despite having the same 55 points. Nashville are top with 70 points. Every team has played 31 matches.
On that same London night, Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or for the first time. The England captain received the player of the year trophy from Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario.
