Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland deserves Ballon d’Or – but only because Lionel Messi should get own prize
Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland to win the Ballon d'Or — because Lionel Messi deserves his own prize.
Messi is in line to win his eighth Ballon d'Or this month as the heavy favourite, having won the World Cup with Argentina.
However, there is an argument to be made that Haaland deserves to win the coveted gong, seen by many as the most prestigious individual award a footballer can win.
Man City boss Guardiola said: «The Ballon d'Or has to be two sections.
»One for Messi, and after look for the others. So, Haaland should win — yes.
«We won the treble and he scored 50 million goals.»
Guardiola, who coached the Argentine maestro during his golden years at Barcelona, added: «The worst season of Messi is the best for the rest.”
Haaland spearheaded City's incredible season last year as they won the treble.
He broke the record for the most goals scored in a single campaign in the Premier League, netting 36 in 35 appearances.
In total, the Norway international banged in 52 goals in all competitions last season, helping City win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Messi, meanwhile, led Argentina to World Cup glory and scored seven times, including twice in the final.
For Paris Saint-Germain last season, he scored 16 and assisted 16 but the French giants crashed out of the Champions League at the first knockout round.
The 36-year-old left PSG at the end of last season to join Inter Miami, where he has already lifted silverware with the Leagues Cup, which he scored in the final of.
As well as Messi and Haaland, Kylian Mbappe is the other player in the running for the Ballon d'Or.
The Frenchman had his own spectacular campaign at the World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in the final as Les Bleus fell at the last hurdle.
In front
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