Lionel Messi sends noble message to Erling Haaland after beating Man City striker to Ballon d’Or
The Argentinian wins the eighth prize of his remarkable career – but it is certainly the last
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Lionel Messi sent a noble message to Erling Haaland after beating the Manchester City striker to the Ballon d’Or on Monday night.
The Argentina international won the eighth such award in one of the most remarkable careers of all time after leading his country to their first World Cup triumph in 36 years last December.
Although Messi has since left European football to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, his title-winning season in Qatar was enough to give him a record eighth title.
He now leads his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo with three awards as some of football’s most exciting young players look to move beyond their great duopoly.
Haaland finished second in the standings, just ahead of Kylian Mbappe in third, while Jude Bellingham won the prestigious Kopa Trophy. The era of Messi and Ronaldo appears to be coming to an end and the 36-year-old has particularly backed Haaland to one day win the award.
“Haaland and Mbappé will one day win the Ballon d’Or,” he said.
“Erling also deserved it very much, he won the Premier League and the Champions League and was also the top scorer of all time. This award could have been yours today.
“I’m sure you’ll win it in the next few years.” TO KNOW MORE
Aitana Bonmati wins the 2023 Féminin Golden Ball after Spain’s victory at the World Cup
Aitana Bonmati wins the 2023 Féminin Golden Ball after Spain’s victory at the World Cup
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“How Messi won is a mystery to me, what else should Haaland do?”
We asked your opinion on the men’s Ballon d’Or and whether Erling Haaland Lionel Messi should have won it.
Here are some of your comments:
Jonny: I can’t understand how Messi won, what else should Haaland do? Some will say it’s simply a shame that Haaland is playing in an era of Messi/Ronaldo dominance, but where is that dominance? Yes, Messi won the World Cup, but that is a team event. Haaland broke every individual record in the Premier League and it was his DEBUT SEASON!
Rodrigue: Haaland definitely deserved to win. Last season he scored more goals. He won the Premier League, the Champions League and the European Super Cup. This time the prize was too focused on the World Cup. In 2010 and 2014, Spain and Germany were world champions and neither of their best players won the world title. Why did Messi win after his bad club season?
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John: Of course Haaland should have won. What has Messi accomplished this year besides winning the World Cup? I thought the award would recognize a player’s performance throughout the year/season, not just one tournament.
Fibby: No chance – Haaland was exceptional, but he also had the best team in the world around him. Messi (with Emi Martinez) must have effectively led his team to the World Cup at 35! Without Haaland, City would still have won a lot. Without Messi, Argentina had no chance. David: Haaland is a great striker. He scores goals. He is not the second best player in the world. Will never be. He plays for a team, but is not a team player. He only scores goals because the team makes it possible. Like Ronaldo. Messi does everything. He makes teams great. He makes them exciting to watch. He makes everything easy. He can do anything.
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