Lionel Messi has stated that Erling Haaland would have been a deserving winner of the Ballon d'Or, after the Argentine claimed the award for the eighth time. Haaland finished second in the 2023 edition, following a season in which he broke Premier League goalscoring records and won the treble with Manchester City.
Messi acknowledged Haaland's achievements, saying: 'Haaland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d'Or one day. Erling deserved it very much too, he has won the Premier League, Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too. I'm sure in the next years you will win it.'
Haaland was recognised at the ceremony in Paris, receiving the Gerd Muller trophy for being Europe's most prolific striker. Reflecting on his season, he said: 'It's my job, that's why I'm here. It's what I'm good at. If I had to give my advice I'd say stay hungry, be in the moment, stay sharp.'
Manchester City had more Ballon d'Or nominees than any other club, with Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva all finishing in the top ten. Silva noted the quality at the Etihad, saying: 'Not just the five players in the top 10 but so many nominees... a sign that the work that this club... have been doing has been great.'
