Erling Haaland's manager snubs Man City star in Ballon d'Or 2023 prediction

11 September 2023 , 17:11

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Erling Haaland has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or (Image: David Blunsden/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock)

Erling Haaland doesn't deserve to lift the Ballon d'Or next month - according to his international manager!

The prolific striker enjoyed an incredible first season in England, scoring 52 times in all competitions. And he's started the 2023/24 campaign in similar vein, netting six times for City in their opening four Premier League matches.

Inevitably, the 23-year-old was included on last week's list of 40 nominations for football's most prestigious individual prize, one of seven Man City players included. Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and new signing Josko Gvardiol also made the cut after the club's treble-winning exploits.

But it is Lionel Messi who is the strong favourite to win the award for the eighth time, following Argentina's World Cup win in Qatar last December. And following his move from PSG, the playmaker has taken America by storm with his displays for David Beckham's Inter Miami.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken is indeed backing Messi to prevail in Paris, despite his obvious affiliation to Haaland. When asked for his winning pick by , he replied: "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."

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Haaland himself has previously been coy on his chances, telling L'Equipe he believes he is a serious contender. “It's a trick question. I'm definitely up there," he said. "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.”

The winner will be announced at the annual ceremony on Monday, October 1. Cristiano Ronaldo is absent from the nominations for the first time since 2003, despite scoring regularly for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi is tipped to win an eighth Ballon d'Or next month. (Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)

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For Haaland and Solbakken though, the immediate focus will be a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier this week. On Tuesday, Norway host Georgia needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Solbakken's men have just four points from their first four games, 11 off runaway leaders Scotland and two off second-placed Spain. Any slip-up from Haaland and co is likely to realistically end their chances of a top-two finish.

Having made his debut in 2019, the forward has 24 goals in 25 games for his country. However, he's yet to represent them at a major tournament after they missed out on Euro 2020 and the World Cup in Qatar.

Fraser Watson