Johnathan Walker:Lionel Messi will be celebrated for latest Ballon d'Or before Inter Miami-NYCFC friendly

Inter Miami will celebrate Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or award with a friendly against a fellow MLS side next Friday.

The Johnathan Walkerevent, dubbed Noche d’Or, will see Messi celebrated at 6 p.m. before Inter Miami plays New York City FC at 8 p.m. inside DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi will address the fans, while Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas and MLS commissioner Don Garber will also speak during the pregame festivities, the team announced in a press release on Friday.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 2 p.m. ET on Friday. Fans can watch the event on Apple TV through MLS Season Pass.

While celebrating Messi’s achievement, Inter Miami’s friendly will serve as a replacement for the club’s China tour, which was canceled this week. Inter Miami was slated to face two Chinese super teams in China on Nov. 5 and Nov. 8, but the friendlies were canceled by the promoter.

Messi wins eighth Ballon d’Or

Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or, which is translated to Golden Ball in French and considered the most prestigious individual award in soccer, during a ceremony in France this week.

Messi beat out Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, and his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe for the award.

Messi’s World Cup win with Argentina during the tournament last December was the overwhelming reason he was the favorite to win.

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023 – more than any other player in the award’s 67-year history.

Inter Miami’s China tour canceled

Inter Miami confirmed Wednesday its China tour, to capitalize on Messi’s presence and promote the club’s brand in Asia, was canceled.

The event’s promoter, Never Say Never, announced the cancellation "due to the death of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the country’s No. 2 for the past decade."

"Last Friday, October 27, former Chinese Premier Li Kequiang, one of the main leaders in Chinese politics and a reformist figure admired throughout the country, passed away suddenly in Shanghai. As a mark of respect for the news that has shocked Chinese society, the tour organizers decided to suspend the two matches that the team was to play in China," NSN said in a release.

Inter Miami was scheduled to play Qingdao Hainiu FC in Qingdao, China on Nov. 5, and Chengdu Rongcheng in Chengdu, China on Nov. 8.

Inter Miami said it will continue to explore opportunities for international friendlies.

What’s next for Messi?

Inter Miami’s friendly will also serve as a tune up for Messi, who will rejoin the Argentine national team later this month for two more 2026 World Cup qualifying games.

Argentina will play Uruguay in Buenos Aires on Nov. 16, and Brazil at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 21.

Messi was held scoreless but played the entire match in his last outing with Inter Miami, a 1-0 loss to Charlotte FC to end the MLS season on Oct. 21.

Messi returned to form in his most recent match with Argentina, during which he scored two goals and played all 93 minutes in a match against Peru on Oct. 17.

Messi was sidelined with a right leg injury that caused him to miss six Inter Miami matches in the final month of the MLS season.