Manchester City star Erling Haaland has finally spoken out on Messi Being the Favourite to win the Ballon d’Or
Erling Haaland of Manchester City believes he can defeat Lionel Messi to the Ballon d’Or.
Erling Haaland believes he can win the Ballon d’Or, even against odds-on favorite Lionel Messi.
Haaland scored 52 goals in his debut season with Manchester City, helping the Blues win the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup before adding the Super Cup at the start of this season. Few players have had a more impressive individual season than Haaland, who set many Premier League scoring records.
Normally, a year like Haaland’s would make him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, but the Norwegian is not favored to win the award in 2023 because to Lionel Messi’s World Cup-winning exploits with Argentina.
Messi led Argentina to victory at the World Cup in Qatar in December, scoring twice in the final and also in the penalty shootout. While his form for PSG was strong, it was not as good as Haaland’s, so the City man believes he has a decent chance of upsetting the odds when the winner is announced at the end of October.
Haaland was speaking with France Football, the organization that organizes the Ballon d’Or, about his possibilities and capacity to develop after an outstanding year in Manchester.
When asked if he thought he was the finest striker in the world, he replied diplomatically: “In my opinion… It all depends on how we define “striker.” The query is a ruse. I’m absolutely in the running. Is it true that I am the best? Maybe.’
“I realize I still have a lot to learn. I’m still rather young. But, yeah, I believe I have a chance [this year] to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Kylian Mbappe, who helped France reach the World Cup final by rallying his side from a 3-1 deficit to force penalties, is another player who could challenge Haaland and Messi for the renowned trophy. However, Haaland was unimpressed by a prospective competition between himself and Mbappe, in the same way that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have long been compared.
“That’s what everyone thinks, but you have to emphasize how insane Messi and Cristiano have been,” Haaland remarked. “You also have to keep in mind that they’re still doing it, even as they get older.” They’re still great players.
“But I never talk about pitting myself against other players; that’s not how I see things.” I only try to be better every day, to keep enjoying what I do and being the greatest version of myself.”
Regarding his own abilities, particularly his ability to create space in the box to get on the end of crosses, Haaland stated that instinct plays a significant role in his goal scoring.
“This is part instinct and obviously hard work,” he stated. Instinct is the notion that the ball will appear in a specific location, a kind of sixth sense buried in the brain.
“Aside from that, you must work hard, improve your individual abilities, and learn to understand your teammates.” It’s a game comprehension combined with that instinct that says, ‘It’s now.'”
