The head coach of Norway, Stale Solbakken, has stated his justifications for not awarding Erling Haaland the Ballon d’Or this year.
Last season, Haaland broke the Premier League record for most goals scored in a season by scoring 36 goals in just 35 games.
Furthermore, the Norwegian scored 12 goals in the Champions League, the most of any player, as City won the title in Istanbul.
Haaland upped his already astounding goal total while playing for Pep Guardiola’s team at the Etihad Stadium, prompting calls for him to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023.
Additionally, he frequently scores for his country, which is managed by former Wolves boss Solbakken. The former midfielder had a standout but brief Premier League season with Wimbledon between 1997 and 1998.
The reason Lionel Messi should earn this year’s prize rather than Haaland has now been explained by the head coach of Norway.
According to Messi, who won the World Cup, if you ask me who I think will win, I’ll answer him, the Norwegian tabloid VG reported. But it still has an impact.
Messi is by far the favorite to win the award for a seventh time due to his aforementioned accomplishments with Argentina.
The 36-year-old scratched the final item off his football bucket list, at least in terms of trophies, before signing with MLS outfit Inter Miami this summer.
Many believed that his selection as the World Cup’s best player should have been enough to win him the Ballon d’Or. But not everybody agrees.
Haaland admitted to Ballon d’Or organizers France Football before the competition that he believed he could compete with anyone for the coveted honor.
The City forward said, “In my perspective… it all depends on what we mean by striker. That question is a ruse. I am without a doubt there. Do I do well? Maybe.
“I’m conscious of the amount I still need to learn. I’m still really young. But I do believe I have a chance this year.
Who do you think ought to win this year’s Ballon d’Or? Messi, Haaland, or somebody else? Tell us in the comments, please.
