Jamie Carragher has joked Erling Haaland will soon feel "robbed" in the same way he did in 2005 after winning the Champions League yet missing out on the Ballon d'Or.
Carragher of course helped the Reds to the famous comeback victory against AC Milan in Istanbul, which saw the centre-back put in a heroic display to force extra-time and penalties against Carlo Ancelotti's side.
As a result of his efforts, which saw Liverpool claim a fifth European Cup, the 45-year-old finish joint 20th in the Ballon d'Or rankings in November 2005 - tied with Cristiano Ronaldo in 20th place. Ronaldinho claimed the prize that year, with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in second and third position respectively.
This year's awards ceremony to recognise the game's greatest player for 2023 will take place on Monday and is expected to be between Haaland and Lionel Messi. Messi is currently the favourite to prevail despite Haaland firing Manchester City to the treble due to his unforgettable World Cup win with Argentina.
Appearing on CBS' live coverage of the Champions League on Wednesday evening, Carragher took to social media to forecast how Haaland will likely be left feeling if he is beaten to this accolade next week by Messi. He said: "I won the CL in 2005 like Haaland this season, he will rightly feel how I did then, robbed!!!"
Later he posted a selfie with the Ballon d'Or award, and said: 'Keeping it safe for Messi.'
HERMANNO19
540
Some players felt robbed in the past as well, it is nothing new. Franck Ribery, Samuel Eto'o, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta...
Kyomnom07
461
if Messi played in that City team won the treble, and scored the amount of goals Haaland scored,, while Haaland won the world cup, will we sit there and say Haaland for the Balon d'or?? I remember sometimes in history when Spain won the world cup, they also had players like Iniesta who had a terrific season, no one gave them the Balon d'or. I recall Messi winning it one time because he scored 90+ goals in a calendar year,, . why does d parameter keep changing, just to suit one player? when Messi has goals, then it's about goals, when he has trophies, then it's about trophies, the factors for winning the Balon d'or are clear, however we can see that it's now about politics and not football because we alternate those parameters to suit one perspective.the year Lewandoski deserved it, he didn't win it, and now people are promoting the same thing. pls: what nonsense is Carragher talking about, remove him from that team in 2005 and Liverpool will still win, Remove Gerrard and they will b nowhere so in what deluded world is he thinking he's name even comes close to being mentioned in such conversation?
RogerCule
343
▶ When Messi was 23 years old, Messi himself won the Ballon D'Or. ▶ When Ronaldo was 23 years old, Messi won the Ballon D'Or. ▶ When Neymar was 23 years old, Messi won the Ballon D'Or. ▶ When Mbappé was 23 years old, Messi won the Ballon D'Or. ▶ Now Erling Haaland just turned 23 years old last month . . . So . . . 👀 LEO MESSI, THE 𓃵
baeadimu
320
I’m not a fan of Messi but I think this one he deserves it
Mangisha
265
Haaland would have been a worthy winner had Messi not won the WC. This one Messi's winning it BECAUSE of the WORLD CUP. Haaland had the best stats in terms of goals and assists, and won a treble. Messi too had #s, 40+ goals and assists in that season at PSG, he won the French League. Another French Cup. And an MLS cup. These cups without the WC wouldn't have matched up to Haaland's wins. The WC did it for Messi. Ronaldo fans won't accept it of course. They have never accepted anything from Messi's corner. But see this. Messi's broke almost all the records in the WC. First player to score in every round of the WC. Ronaldo the Brazilian, Dinho, Pele, Maradona...you name it, they never did this. He has the most G/A contributions in the WC ever. The most MOTH, that WC best player. Twice. 2 goals in the FINAL, with a MOTH performance. The WC won Messi this Ballon d'or. People who understand football will not argue with Messi's win. He was "lucky" bcos he won the WC. Otherwise Haaland would have won it
raynardblake
173
the public should not know who the winner is Goin to be its bad and disrespectful to the nominees....as for Messi he should win a Ballon dors for his world cup win but not for his overall performances during the year because his time at PSG and playing champions league were so average...and Haaland clearly destroyed records domestically so it's a repeat of the 2010 robbery. Similarly, Messi was great domestically, and Xavi and iniester were great internationally, but Messi won the Ballon dor (messi didn't win UCL) over World Cup winners. lol 😂 the bias and the help this guy gets to be called the best is so amazing to me. It's so laughable
Viburnum
11
Some players felt robbed in the past as well, it is nothing new. Franck Ribery, Samuel Eto'o, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta...
Bruno almost felt robbed in the World Cup [Crylaugh]