Erling Haaland’s Outstanding Season at Manchester City Puts Him in the Running for the 2023 Ballon d’Or
While Lionel Messi remains the favorite to clinch the Ballon d’Or after his World Cup victory, the argument can be made that no player deserves the title of the world’s best more than Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian sensation served as the driving force behind Manchester City’s historic treble triumph, securing their first-ever Champions League, alongside victories in the FA Cup and Premier League. On his quest to capture all three major trophies, Haaland made an astounding contribution, netting an incredible 52 goals for the club. Along the way, he shattered numerous Premier League records and bagged 12 goals in just 11 Champions League appearances.
Haaland has rapidly established himself as one of the most dominant strikers in the global football arena, and under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, his potential knows no bounds.
Haaland’s Ballon d’Or contention is further validated by his previous victory of the Golden Boy award in 2020, and recent individual accolades that rightfully acknowledge his remarkable achievements.
On the other hand, Messi’s case for winning the Ballon d’Or revolves around his magnificent feat of lifting the World Cup last winter. The World Cup stands as the pinnacle of football, and it’s reasonable to consider this achievement when selecting a Ballon d’Or recipient. However, should players from nations that failed to qualify for the tournament be penalized?
Norway, Haaland’s home country, did not participate in the Qatar World Cup due to their inability to qualify. While Haaland has been prolifically scoring for Manchester City, Messi has made a move to Major League Soccer, a league that many would argue is not on par with the Premier League.
Although Messi’s potential eighth Ballon d’Or win would undoubtedly bring joy to football fans, the undeniable fact is that Haaland has operated at an extraordinary level over the past year. If the award is to be judged fairly, then Haaland’s exceptional performance merits recognition as the rightful winner.
