Football fans are divided on who between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland should win this year's Ballon d'Or award.
Messi appeared to have emerged as the clear frontrunner for the award after an incredible 2022 for both club and country.
The football icon, who has won the accolade a record seven times, became a favourite to win it for an unprecedented eighth time after he led Argentina to World Cup glory in December 2022.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar was pivotal in Argentina's triumph in the global football showpiece as he scored an incredible seven goals.
According to Sky Sports, that accomplishment saw Messi cement his place as the greatest footballer of all time.
Messi's PSG struggles
However, the Barcelona icon has not been able to replicate his World Cup form in the second half of the 2022/23 season with PSG.
Messi has managed just four goals so far for the French giants, who were bundled out of the Champions League in the round of 16.
While they look on course to win the Coupe de la Ligue, Messi's latest struggles could see him face stiffer competition in his bid to win the Ballon d'Or.
Can Haaland beat Messi to Ballon d'Or?
ESPN recently polled fans on the possibility of Haaland beating Messi to the Ballon d'Or award, and opinion was largely divided.
@ProudFede tweeted:
"He (Haaland) deserves it even if he doesn’t win the Champions League. Who invited Messi 😭."
@AndrewPrasana posed:
"Just out of curiosity, what has Messi even done in 2023 to be considered a candidate?"
@BenopaOnyx1 argued:
"Haaland couldn’t even go to the World Cup, the biggest football tournament 😭"
@PovertykillerB noted:
"He already deserves it, Messi was lucky to win the World Cup."
Haaland is undoubtedly among the favourites to challenge for the crown after an incredible season with Manchester City.
The Norwegian hotshot has scored an eyewatering 48 goals across competitions for the Premier League giants, putting them on course to win a treble.
Adebayo differentiates Haaland from Aguero
Sports Brief earlier reported on former City striker, Emmanuel Adebayor differentiating Haaland from Sergio Aguero, and his analysis appeared spot-on.
The Togolese veteran claimed Haaland is physical and combative against defenders, and he proved just that, bullying Rob Holding throughout the game.
The former Salzburg and Dortmund striker upped his game to a different level against the Gunners through link-up play and also turning provider for KDB.
Longlife2000
461
2018: Leo Messi with the most ‘club stats’ is 5th in the Ballon d’Or race due to the World Cup 2023: World Cup winner, Leo Messi, doesn’t deserve the Ballon d’Or because he doesn’t have the most ‘club stats’ Make it make sense…
tipabopt
320
No disrespect to Messi. But he disappeared after the World Cup. Haaland or KDB if only they can get the UCL.
yucaboptuy
292
Mess has been good but l think we need a change
Richness-Obi
279
Maguire deserves this after scoring a goal and assist against sevilla
zahdlmotyz
256
If Modric can win Ballon Dor even after loosing in the WC Final thn messi deserves it. Man he has won world cup and player of the tournament. WC is the biggest tournament in Football. Footballer dream for that to win it. No offence to Haaland for his incredible stats but you have to think that WC is above everything. Country comes first thn Club.
BroMessi10
170
Ballon D Or is not decided based on the number of goals scored, It is purely based on individual performance. Btw what has Halland done so far except scoring a tap-in goal? It means a World Cup trophy won with blood and sweat is just a child's thing, right? Is World Cup held every year so that everyone could have it? Hopeless, If Lionel Messi doesn't win Football is just a disgrace. Only a World Cup trophy is more than enough to grab Ballon D Or. Stop corrupting his destined Ballon D Or. You have done enough with 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. If not Messi would have had 10+ Ballon D Or, if it really is an individual award. IF THIS MAN DOESN'T WIN SHAME ON YOU ALL. 🖕
D10S_LM10
149
As usual campaign started and Messi haters from Benzema to Mbappe to Halland 😂 They will switch alliance and bring few more names by end of this season 😂😂
jaisoni
10
No disrespect to Messi. But he disappeared after the World Cup. Haaland or KDB if only they can get the UCL.
no disrespect to haaland and kdb.....but they disappeared at the world cup......one world is equal to 5 ucls for me
houacioryz
10
Ballon D Or is not decided based on the number of goals scored, It is purely based on individual performance. Btw what has Halland done so far except scoring a tap-in goal? It means a World Cup trophy won with blood and sweat is just a child's thing, right? Is World Cup held every year so that everyone could have it? Hopeless, If Lionel Messi doesn't win Football is just a disgrace. Only a World Cup trophy is more than enough to grab Ballon D Or. Stop corrupting his destined Ballon D Or. You have done enough with 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. If not Messi would have had 10+ Ballon D Or, if it really is an individual award. IF THIS MAN DOESN'T WIN SHAME ON YOU ALL. 🖕
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Can you please tell me what benzema did for Real Madrid to win the ballon or than the goals he scored And you keep saying he is scoring tap in he is a number 9 which means all his work is just to score goals so I don’t see any reason why you keep saying he is scoring tap in the team are supposed to do all the work for him just to score
pudceilny
8
No disrespect to Messi. But he disappeared after the World Cup. Haaland or KDB if only they can get the UCL.
Hmm... he didnt disappear at all, you just watch Premier League and probably La liga. Go check Messi's stats since January