Lionel Messi has finally opened on Erling Haaland chances of winning the Ballon d’Or Award. The Argentine maintained that the Manchester City prolific striker deserves the noble award. Messi however posited that Haaland’s time to win the Ballon d’Or would come.
Halland finished second only behind Messi in this year’s edition as the Argentine won it for the eighth time. It was definitely Haaland’s best performance after a season. The Norwegian was able to shatter Premier League goalscoring records while winning the treble with City.
Messi’s international exploits were however too hard to overlook. Haaland and Kylian Mbappe had finished second and third place respectively. No doubt, they both sufficient time on their side to claim the prestigious award in future. Messi meanwhile believes the City marksman is destined to pick up the award.
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He said: “Haaland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or one day. Erling deserved it very much too, he has won [the] Premier League, [and] Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too. I’m sure in the next years you will win it.”
Haaland who was recognised on stage at the ceremony in Paris was consoled with the Gerd Muller trophy. This award came after he became the most prolific player in Europe. The 23-year-old scored more than the likes of Messi, Mbappe, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski.
Haaland speaking on his exploits, said: “It’s my job, that’s why I’m here. It’s what I’m good at.” He went on to add: “If I had to give my advice I’d say stay hungry, be in the moment, stay sharp. This feeling is an amazing feeling and I had it quite a few times last season, and I want to chase this feeling.”
Haaland’s Champions League victory especially with his Golden Ball feat was enough to clinch the Ballon d’Or. But Messi’s efforts in Qatar trumped Haaland and his City team-mates. Pep Guardiola’s side had more nominees than any other side due to their fantastic season.
The top ten had accommodated the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva. Ruben Dias and Ilkay Gundogan, who spent last season playing for City, were also nominated with Silva highlighting the quality at the Etihad as they look to win the club’s first-ever Ballon d’Or.
The Portuguese star said: “Not just the five players in the top 10 but so many nominees in both men’s and women’s categories and a sign that the work that this club, all of us together, have been doing has been great, and also extra motivation to keep going and to push ourselves every day to be better and to try it again.”