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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="betting-e2">{"type":"betting-e2","data":{"key":{"mobile":"fb9f812b41240655c161bb3d4ad2cf3f","desktop":"671024543858da3e0dfea5d9450ab1a4"}}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>City sensation won treble in 2022-23</li><li>Argentine icon savoured World Cup glory</li><li>Battle on for prestigious Golden Ball</li></ul>

Sorry Erling! Even Norway national team boss thinks Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi should beat Man City striker Haaland to 2023 Ballon d’Or

<p>Manchester City striker <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/erling-haaland-deserves-win-2023-ballon-dor/blt81f25a75208349a1" target="_blank">Haaland hit 52 goals across all competitions last season</a> as he helped his club employers at the Etihad Stadium to a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble. Those exploits are considered to have him <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ballon-dor-2023-power-rankings/blt51e9eccbef548b72" target="_blank">in the running for a first Ballon d'Or</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi, though, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-messi-lifts-world-cup-trophy-argentina-thrilling-penalty-shootout-france-goat/blt38b30d6ba3692fc1" target="_blank">inspired Argentina to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022</a> – allowing him to complete <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">a record-breaking trophy collection</a>. The 36-year-old South American has also been starring for Inter Miami since moving to the United States, putting him in the frame to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-why-lionel-messi-doesnt-care-eighth-ballon-d-or-inter-miami-battles-man-city-erling-haaland-golden-ball/blt90cf1301d71971a0" target="_blank">land an eighth Ballon d’Or</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Norway boss Stale Solbakken would be expected to side with Haaland in any debate regarding the best player on the planet, given that he works with the prolific 23-year-old at international level, but he has told <a href="https://www.vg.no/ " target="_blank"><em>VG</em></a> when asked for his pick: "If you ask me who I think will win, I will say Messi will win it thanks to his World Cup triumph. It still has an impact."</p>

WHAT THEY SAID

<p>Haaland is not paying too much attention to the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-city-sensation-erling-haaland-battle-psg-kylian-mbappe-battle-isnt-new-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo/blt94e2d11e61fdcfc4" target="_blank">race for prestigious individual accolades</a> and has told <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/France-Football/Article/Erling-haaland-j-ai-pleure-pour-la-premiere-fois-depuis-longtemps/1417883 " target="_blank"><em>France Football</em></a> when asked if he is capable of pipping Messi to a major honour: “It's a trick question. I'm definitely up there. Am I the best? Maybe. I know I can still improve a great deal. I'm still young. But yes, I believe I have a chance this year.”</p>

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Sorry Erling! Even Norway national team boss thinks Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi should beat Man City striker Haaland to 2023 Ballon d’Or | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Erling Haaland is a leading contender for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, but even Norway’s national team coach admits Lionel Messi should take the award.

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