Michail Antonio believes it would be a “scandal” if Lionel Messi beat Erling Haaland for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
The West Ham striker claimed Haaland – who scored 52 goals for Manchester City in all competitions last season – deserved to win the award despite Messi captaining Argentina at the World Cup in December.
Speaking on the podcast Footballer’s Football, Antonio said: “I understand Messi winning the World Cup, but you can’t ignore a treble-winning team and what Haaland brought to that team, breaking records. He deserves this Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t get it, it’s a scandal.”
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson agrees, adding: “What Haaland did last season can be considered a good thing: “What Haaland did last season cannot be overlooked. If we ignore international football and compare the statistics… Haaland should win the award. Messi won his first World Cup, that’s an important factor, but he played in MLS, which is very different to Haaland in the Premier League.
After breaking the record for most goals scored in a Premier League season (36) and helping City win the treble, Haaland is in the running for the Ballon d’Or for best male player alongside Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Rodri , his teammate at City. According to reports, Messi, who joined Inter Miami in July, has been informed that he will win the award for a record eighth time.
