{
  "id": 17401080,
  "title": "Ballon d’Or: Six journalists rank Messi first",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/ballon-dor-six-journalists-rank-messi-first",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T12:40:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ballon-dor-six-journalists-rank-messi-first/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 men's Ballon d'Or rankings saw Lionel Messi receive first-place votes from six countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Belarus, China, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite finishing fifth in the overall rankings, Messi earned 612 points from these votes, each worth 15 points. He was behind Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Rodri, who trailed him by 28, 41, 46, and 78 points respectively. Brazil's decision to rank Messi first was particularly notable, considering the longstanding football rivalry between the two nations. The 2026 award was the fourth-closest men's Ballon d'Or vote in history, with Kane edging Mbappé by just 28 points.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi received first-place votes from six journalists, including from Brazil, despite finishing fifth in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings won by Harry Read More: https://punchng.com/ballon-dor-six-journalists-rank-messi-first/",
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi received first-place votes from six countries in 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings.",
    "Messi earned 612 points from these votes, each worth 15 points.",
    "Brazil's Messi first-place vote notable despite football rivalry."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}