Lionel Messi makes MLS history with 2023 Ballon d’Or Award nomination, matches David Beckham

Lionel Messi made history on Wednesday, becoming the first active MLS player to be shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or award since David Beckham accomplished the feat in 2007.

The Argentine star was named as one of the nominees for the 2023 award.

He will become the first active MLS player to capture the Ballon d’Or should he land the award on October 30.

According to The Athletic, Beckham was the last MLS player to be nominated for the prize. He made the shortlist back in 2007, three months after he moved from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy.

This year’s Ballon d’Or is judged on players’ performances from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023. He only played two games for Inter Miami during that period as he made his switch to the MLS side in late July.

That means the award will be based on Messi’s performances for Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain.

When Beckham was nominated for the award back in 2007, the Ballon d’Or was judged on performances during that calendar year.

Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in December 2022, scoring seven goals in that tournament. He was named the World Cup's best player after Argentina beat France in a penalty shootout in the final.

The Inter Miami star is one of four Ballon d’Or winners to play in MLS, alongside Kaka (former Orlando City midfielder), Hristo Stoichkov (former Chicago Fire forward) and Lothar Matthaus (former New York MetroStars midfielder), as Sports Brief reported.

The main reason why the 36-year-old will claim his record eighth title is his World Cup win.

He scored crucial goals throughout Argentina's campaign, leading them to their third trophy.

Nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi @InterMiamiCF @Argentina #ballondor pic.twitter.com/PV8H3B8uNo

— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) September 6, 2023