Pep Guardiola believes both Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi deserve Ballon d’Or

Pep Guardiola claims Erling Haaland deserves to win the Ballon d’Or – but so does Lionel Messi. Haaland has been nominated for the coveted prize after scoring 52 goals in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign. Yet City boss Guardiola has always maintained his former Barcelona talisman, who inspired Argentina to World Cup success in 2022, is the best player he has ever coached. Guardiola said: “I always said that the Ballon d’Or had to be of two sections – one for Messi and one for the others. “Haaland should win. We won the treble because he scored 52 goals but, of course, Messi – his worst season is the best of most players. Both deserve it. “Egotistically, I would say I want Erling because he helped us to achieve what we achieved, I would love it, but I won’t tell you it’s unfair if Leo wins.”