Lionel Messi included in the list of candidates for the Ballon d'Or

Argentine striker Lionel Messi has been included in the list of contenders for the Ballon d'Or award, given to the best player of the year, according to the award's website.

In December, Messi won the North American Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs for the first time with Inter Miami and reached the World Cup final, where he scored eight goals.

Messi is 39 years old, he is the top scorer in the history of the Spanish championship, Barcelona and the Argentina national team. The striker is also the only eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in history.