Norways Manager doesn't believe Haaland will win Balon d'Or, look at his words

Manchester City Blues has seen better days in the Premier League thanks to their goal leader, Erling Haaland, with 52 goals made last season, awarding him with UEFA Player of the Year, setting him for the race to win the prestigious award, Balon d’Or.

Nevertheless, Erling’ s walkthrough in his national team (Norway) has been on thin ice, by having no participation where they outlasted Jordan 6-0. With this, Norways manager, Stale Solbakken, doesn’t believe Haaland should win Balon d’Or, and instead, the argentinian captain and world champion, Lionel Messi will do.

"It's probably between Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling," he said. "And then there are some outsiders under there. If you ask who I think will win, I think Messi will win because of the World Cup. There is always an emphasis on this year with the World Cup”.

Solbakken has praised Haaland success by winning one of the most prestigious club tournaments, his breakout records and obtaining UEFA Player of the Year, making him a strong candidate against the other 30 elite players that are in the short list.

Another norwegian player in this exclusive list is Arsenal’s middle-centre, Martin Odegaard. The Norway National team captain has also been in the spotlight in Europes tournaments, “That's very good. If you help dominate the two best teams in England and have a prominent role there, then you have a great chance of getting into the nominations”, Solbakken said.

Can Messi win his eighth Balon d’Or?

The legendary argentinian player, Lionel Messi, is one of the most awarded players in FIFA history, winning until nowadays seven Balon d’Or, six Golden Boots, eight Pichichis from La Liga, and recently, the World Cup championship, and more.

Messi is possibly playing his last years in the MLS (Major League Soccer)  where he won the 2023 Leagues Cup. Could he end up winning this year Balon d’Or before his retirement?