admin Manchester City striker Erling Haaland believes he can challenge seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi for the 2023 award.
Both Haaland and Messi are widely considered the two frontrunners to win this year’s individual accolade after winning two of the most prestigious trophies in world football between them last season.
Haaland led Man City’s attack, won the historic treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, scored 52 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions and surpassed many scoring records.
The 22-year-old has already won the PFA Player of the Year, FWA Player of the Year, Premier League Player & Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards. Man City’s best of the season, and is currently in the running to win his first Golden Ball. Meanwhile, Messi is bidding to win his eighth Ballon d’Or after successfully leading Argentina to World Cup glory at the 2022 tournament in Qatar – the country’s first world title in 36 years.
The 36-year-old striker also won the Ligue 1 title in his final season with Paris Saint-Germain and has since enjoyed a blistering start with MLS side Inter Miami, scoring 11 goals and providing provided 5 assists in 11 games.
Haaland, who won the UEFA Super Cup with Man City and scored six goals in just four Premier League games in the new season, believes he is justified in competing with rival Messi for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
When asked in an interview with France Football, via Daily Mail, whether he considered himself one of the best strikers in world football, Haaland replied: “In my mind…It all depends on what you mean by attacker. This is a scam question.
“I’m definitely up there. Am I the best? Maybe. I know I can still improve a great deal. I’m still young. But yes, I believe I have a chance this year.”
Man City’s No.9 added: “I’d like people to remember me as a special player, in the way I play. This is what I’m trying to do every week: show special stuff.”
Haaland is one of seven Man City players to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or along with Messi’s Argentine teammate Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and new signing Josko Gvardiol, who joined from RB Leipzig this summer, while treble-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan – now at Barcelona – is also up for the award.
The likes of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and the 2022 winner Karim Benzema – now at Al-Ittihad – are among other headline names who have been nominated for the award, but there is no sign of five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo on the shortlist for the first time since 2003.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.
