Messi has been nominated for the 'South American Golden Ball'

Lionel Messi stands among three nominees for a highly esteemed individual honor in South America.

According to confirmation from El Pais, the trio of Lionel Messi, Adrian Martinez, and De Arrascaeta have been shortlisted for the title of "King of South American Football," an award often referred to as the "South American Ballon d'Or." This accolade will be presented on December 31, based on a traditional voting process involving the newspaper’s readers.

Messi is aiming for his first time winning this award after a successful season with Inter Miami. He played 40 matches, scored 38 goals, and provided 25 assists, playing a pivotal role in helping the team secure the MLS championship. Moreover, Messi is the captain of Argentina, the national team that finished first in the South American World Cup qualifiers and secured an early spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Last season, the Argentine superstar ranked fifth in the voting with 14 votes, behind Luiz Henrique, Jefferson Savarino, Juan Fernando Quintero, and Thiago Almada.

Meanwhile, Adrian Martinez has been the standout player for Racing. The forward contributed significantly to the team’s victory in the Recopa Sudamericana against Botafogo, reached the Copa Libertadores semifinals where he scored 7 goals and became the tournament’s top scorer. Additionally, Racing finished second in the Torneo Clausura. Over the season, Martínez scored 22 goals in 55 appearances.

De Arrascaeta also had an impressive year, winning the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo and being named the tournament’s best player. The Uruguayan midfielder then helped secure the Brazilian league title and played a key role in his national team’s qualification campaign for the upcoming World Cup.

Carlos Tevez holds the record as the most decorated player for this award with three wins since El Pais launched it in 1986. Additionally, Carlos Valderrama, Juan Sebastian Veron, and Neymar have each been honored twice.

Before announcing the best player of the season, the organizers will present the award for the outstanding coach. The three nominees for this category are Filipe Luis and two Argentine coaches, Gustavo Alfaro and Gustavo Costas.