David

Argentina face Uruguay on Thursday on Matchday 5 of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. Leo heads into the match on the back of claiming his eighth Ballon d'Or and with a good goalscoring record so far in qualifying, with three goals to his name in as many outings.
The Albiceleste are the outright leaders in the CONMEBOL group with a clean sweep of wins, while Uruguay lie in second spot on seven points, five behind Argentina.

Leo landed in Buenos Aires on Sunday ahead of the South American 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. The Argentine, who has scored three goals in as many appearances so far in the qualifying campaign, will be out to help the Albiceleste to a two wins in the double-header, which will be played on Thursday, 16 November at La Bombonera (Buenos Aires) and on Tuesday the 21st in Maracaná (Rio de Janeiro).

Leo will be in friendly action against New York City FC on Friday, days after claiming his eighth Ballon d'Or in Paris. The Argentine will share the most coveted individual prize in the game with the home fans at the DRV PNK Stadium in the Florida-based outfit's last outing of the season and ahead of the South American qualifying double-header for the 2026 World Cup with Argentina.

Glory with Argentina: “I thank my national-team team-mates. I'm representing all of my team-mates. This is a gift for the whole group, the coaching staff and for the Argentines.”

Other Ballon d'Or finalists: “I don't want to forget Haaland or Mbappé. Haaland had an amazing year and won everything going. In the coming years, they’ll both win this award. I see a lot of young players coming through, and I’ll have to watch on from the other side and will be able to enjoy football for a long time thanks to such players. I’ve been fortunate to be in this room for many years.”

Support: “I want to mention all those who’ve followed my career and those who were keen to see me become a world champion. I received a lot of love from people from different countries. I want to share this award with my family in Argentina and my wife and my children."

Dedication to Diego: “And I want to mention Diego. There’s no better place to wish him a happy birthday than here with all of you people from within the game. Wherever you are, ‘Happy birthday, Diego!'”

Award for efforts: “I never imagined I’d have the career I have. I’m lucky enough to have achieved everything in football, which is no mean feat. I was at the best club in the world and in the history of the game and that made things more straightforward. I won many trophies there. I have been part of many defeats with Argentina, but I never gave up trying to win the Copa América and the World Cup. I feel very proud of having kept on going.”

Leo was awarded the Ballon d'Or for the 2022-2023 season at the gala ceremony held in Paris on Monday night. The Argentine claims the accolade for the eighth time, an unprecedented achievement in the history of the game. Leo collects the most prestigious individual prize in the sport after lifting the World Cup with Argentina in December 2022, a tournament in which he landed the Golden Ball and the Silver Boot, courtesy of his seven goals and three assists in his seven outings. In addition, he scored in the round of 16, quarter-finals, semis and in the final against France on Qatari soil.
Leo recorded 32 goals and 25 assists in his 55 games for PSG and Inter Miami during the 2022-2023 season. The Argentine attacker also won the Ligue 1 title with the Parisian outfit and the Leagues Cup with Inter – the first trophy triumph in the history of the MLS club.

Leo's Ballon d'Or triumphs: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

Inter Miami travel to Charlotte for the sides' MLS Matchday 35 meeting. Leo has joined back up with the Florida-based outfit after having been in action with Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers, in which he bagged a brace against Peru.