Erling Haaland labels Lionel Messi as the 'best-ever' footballer

Lionel Messi has won eight Ballon d’Ors in his career

Erling Haaland, a star for Manchester City, hinted that he would only be able to win the Ballon d’Or if Lionel Messi decides to retire.

The Manchester City forward helped the team win an unprecedented triple with 52 goals in every tournament during his outstanding debut season at Etihad Stadium. However, the Norwegian was not the recipient of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award, coming in behind Lionel Messi of Argentina and Inter Miami, who had led La Albiceleste to their third World Cup victory in December 2022.

In response to the question of whether Messi must give up his shoes in order to take home the top individual honours, Haaland said during a news conference on Tuesday:

Despite not being able to match his spectacular goal scoring output from the previous season, the Norwegian is still the favourite to win the Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 18 goals in 22 league games. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, has contributed to four goals in three games so far in the new MLS 2024 season with Inter Miami.

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“Good question! I don’t know. I’ve won it all but I’m only 23, so I want to win it all again. Messi is the best that has ever played, maybe he has to retire for someone else to be regarded as the best.”

Wednesday marks the second leg of the Cityzens’ round of 16 Champions League match against Copenhagen. With the reigning European champions leading 3-1 overall, Haaland will be looking to add to his five goals in the league so far this season. Messi, meanwhile, will return to action for Inter Miami on March 8 when they play Nashville.

Those who support Barcelona would therefore undoubtedly be interested to learn that on Tuesday, Haaland expressed his love for a legendary character in Catalunya.

The possibility of winning the top club championship in European football for the second time in his career attracted striker Haaland.

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