The narrative of ‘Haaland Falling Short in Contesting Messi’s 2023 Ballon d’Or’ is an engaging tale. Haaland, a young Norwegian star, achieved a historic triple crown with Manchester City, accumulating titles and personal records aplenty. Yet, this feat alone falls short when compared to Messi’s storied legacy.
While the official announcement of the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner is set for the end of October at the Gala awards, the present scenario is fueled by Lionel Messi’s pursuit of an unprecedented eighth title. Despite voices of support for Erling Haaland, especially following his triple conquest in his debut season with Manchester City, stopping Messi’s quest for an eighth Ballon d’Or is a tall order.
At just 22, Haaland’s Etihad journey has been exceptional. He has scored 52 goals and provided 9 assists, including a record-breaking 36 Premier League goals in 38 matches. Haaland’s trophy cabinet boasts accolades like Best Young Player, Best Player, Premier League Golden Boot, and the European Golden Shoe.
His impressive statistics spark hope that Haaland could challenge Messi for the Ballon d’Or. However, his recent triple (Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup) raises a question: Does he have what it takes to win the Ballon d’Or? Despite a remarkable season, Haaland struggled in decisive matches.
In key encounters, like the Premier League-deciding match against Chelsea, the FA Cup final against Manchester United, the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid, and the C1 final against Inter Milan, Haaland failed to make an impact.
Comparisons to history emerge, such as Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup play-off hat-trick propelling Portugal to the 2014 World Cup, snatching the Ballon d’Or from Ribery. Messi’s aspirations are centered on international success rather than individual awards. He desires victory with Argentina more than anything else.
Messi’s humility remains intact. Despite winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, boasting 7 goals and 3 assists, he values international triumphs over personal accolades. His contribution to PSG’s Ligue 1 and French Super Cup triumphs is undeniable, underscoring his importance.
Moreover, Messi was hailed by IFFHS as the “Best Men’s Footballer in the World for 2022,” with an impressive 275 points. Adding to this, he earned his second “Oscar sports award” – an accolade reserved for a select few.
With monumental achievements across international and club arenas during the 2022-2023 season, coupled with collective and individual accolades, Messi’s claim to the 2023 Ballon d’Or is compelling.
