Erling Haaland told to snub Ballon d'Or ceremony forever if Lionel Messi wins 2023 award
The Mirror Erling Haaland has been told to snub the Ballon dOr ceremony for life if he is not handed this years award.
Haaland is one of seven Manchester City players on the 30-man shortlist for the annual gong, which will be revealed in Paris on October 30. For the first time in 20 years there is no place on the list for five-time winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, who spent 2023 playing in the Saudi Pro League.
But his old adversary, Lionel Messi, who has won the award seven times, is already many peoples favourite to make that eight next month after the now-36-year-old capped his trophy-laden career with the World Cup in Qatar last December. However, former Chelsea and Scotland midfielder, Craig Burley, reckons there should be only one name on the minds of anyone when it comes to handing over the Ballon dOr trophy.
If Erling Haaland doesnt win this, close the shop, Burley told ESPN. Lionel Messi won the World Cup and its a great achievement, but its a four-week period. His general league form was not the best. PSG were terrible.
