Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario chooses 2023 Ballon d'Or winner between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland
Ballon d'Or race heats up between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland
Former Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario has had his say in the Ballon d'Or battle between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. The Brazilian believes that Messi is the deserving winner of the award, especially after what he did in the World Cup last year.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday (Oct 30) next week at the Théatre du Châtelet in Paris, France and the race for the award is as close as ever.
"The Ballon d'Or should go to him [Lionel Messi], without a doubt. What Messi did in the World Cup was special. It reminded me of the campaigns of Pelé and Maradona," said Ronaldo.
A victory for the Argentine would mean he would collect his eighth Ballon d'Or, propelling him into rare pages of the history books. However, if Haaland lays his hands on the trophy, it would signify a passing of the baton moment.
Last week, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said hewould love for Haaland to win the prestigious trophy but Messi was more likely to nick the Norwegian in the race.
"Haaland should win - Yes. We won the treble and he scored 50, I don't know, a million goals. But of course, if you tell me the worst Messi season? That's the best for the rest of the players. Both deserve it, what can I say?" he said.
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"I want Haaland to have it because he helped us achieve what we achieved. But Messi won the World Cup. It’s good that players here are up for the award, it makes us so proud."
Haaland vs Messi
Haaland arrived in England last year and tore up the league, winning the Golden Boot and shattering the record for the most goals scored in a campaign, eclipsing Liverpool's Mo Salah. Haaland netted 52 goals and laid out nine assists in 53 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City last term.
Meanwhile, Messi, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, won the ultimate prize with Argentina when he fired his team to World Cup glory to conquer his final peak. Apart from the World Cup, Messi also won the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 21 goals and assisting 20 in 40 appearances across all competitions.
(With inputs from agencies)
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