The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony is only a week away from us. On Monday, October 30, the soccer community will know who is chosen as the best player of the 2022-23 season. France Football has named 30 nominees, but the race seems to be reduced to Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.
The Argentine superstar made a strong case by leading his nation to victory at the World Cup. The Norwegian striker, on the other hand, helped Manchester City secure the treble last term. Whether Messi or Haaland deserve the award is the biggest debate in world soccer right now. According to Callum Wilson and Michail Antonio, Haaland should emerge victorious.
“What Haaland did last season can’t be overlooked,” said the Newcastle star, via BBC. “If you take away international football and compare statistically – Haaland should win the award. You can’t look past Messi winning his first World Cup, that is a big contributing factor but club football wise he’s been playing in America which is very different to Haaland in the Premier League.”
The West Ham striker agreed with Wilson. While he acknowledges Messi’s success in Qatar has been massive, in his eyes, Haaland’s season with City is more significant. “You can’t look past a treble-winning team and what Haaland bought to that, breaking records. He deserves that Ballon d’Or – if he doesn’t get it it’s a scandal,“ Antonio said.
The World Cup success could earn Messi his 8th Ballon d’Or
Unlike the aforementioned Premier League players, most of the voters seem to believe Messi deserves the prize. According to reports, the former Barcelona star is expected to receive the accolade next week. The 2023 Ballon d’Or gala will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.
Messi’s strongest argument is his incredible campaign at Qatar 2022. At 36, he put Argentina on his back en route to their third World Cup title, ending a 36-year drought. With seven goals in as many games, Messi received the Golden Ball – given to the tournament’s best player.
Leo scored La Albiceleste’s first goal in the loss to Saudi Arabia, before netting a long-range effort vs. Mexico to keep Argentina’s hopes alive. From then on, he played with a chip on his shoulder. Messi scored in every knockout round game, including a brace in the final vs. France.
Perhaps his lackluster campaign at Paris Saint-Germain threatens his Ballon d’Or chances. Messi’s numbers were not bad at all — 16 goals in 32 Ligue 1 games — but his performances didn’t come close to what he showed in the World Cup. PSG left much to be desired, and Messi couldn’t escape the critics. In July, he left Europe to play for MLS side Inter Miami.
Haaland aims to win first Ballon d’Or after great year in England
After being the most sought-after striker for a while, Haaland settled in to the Premier League perfectly well. In his first year in England, the Norwegian was just as prolific as he was in the Bundesliga.
SURVEY Who deserves to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or award?
Who deserves to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or award?
ALREADY VOTED 3 PEOPLE
With 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions, the 23-year-old played an instrumental role in City’s success in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. Haaland not only proved his doubters wrong, but also challenged Messi’s favoritism for the Ballon d’Or. Now, we’ll have to wait and see which performance weighs more heavily in the voting.