Erling Haaland has weighed in on the perennial Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo debate, perhaps settling it once and for all. Both Ronaldo and Messi have long been contenders for the title of greatest of all time in football.
Many believed Messi solidified his claim to the throne when he secured the World Cup in 2022. However, fervent supporters of Ronaldo always stand by the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient.
In an interview ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League encounter against FC Copenhagen, Haaland seemed to express his stance on the matter. When asked about potentially winning the prestigious individual awards, Haaland’s response hinted at his choice.
Responding to the question, Haaland stated, “I don’t know, good question. Yeah, he indeed won it and he won the World Cup so I don’t know what to say. He is the best that has ever played I think so yeah, I don’t know.”
Despite his remarkable debut season in English football, Haaland finished as the runner-up to Messi in the 2023 Ballon d’Or race.
His incredible performance included scoring 52 goals across various competitions, with a record-breaking 36 goals in the Premier League alone.
Although he narrowly missed out on the Ballon d’Or, Haaland was awarded the Gerd Müller Trophy, recognizing him as the top striker of the previous European season for both club and country. Reflecting on the achievement, Haaland expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the collective effort of his teammates.
As the current season unfolds, Haaland continues to excel, leading the Premier League Golden Boot race with 18 goals. However, competition remains fierce, with players like Ollie Watkins and Mohamed Salah closely trailing behind.
Manchester City are gearing up to face Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League before confronting Liverpool in a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
