- Haaland suggests his Ballon d’Or chances may hinge on Messi’s retirement, acknowledging Messi’s unparalleled status in football
- Despite Haaland’s remarkable debut season, he fell short of winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or, finishing second to Lionel Messi
Erling Haaland, the Manchester City star, has hinted that his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or may only materialize once Lionel Messi retires.
The prolific striker, who had an outstanding debut season at Etihad Stadium, scoring 52 goals across all competitions, fell short of claiming the 2023 Ballon d’Or, finishing second to Lionel Messi.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Haaland responded to a question about whether Messi’s retirement would pave the way for his Ballon d’Or aspirations, stating, “Good question! I don’t know. I’ve achieved a lot at 23 but aim to repeat my successes. Messi is unparalleled; perhaps his retirement will open doors for others to be considered the best.”
While Haaland has not maintained his extraordinary goal-scoring form from the previous season, he remains a top contender for the Premier League Golden Boot, with 18 league goals in 22 appearances.
Meanwhile, Messi continues to excel in the MLS 2024 season with Inter Miami, contributing to four goals in three games.
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