Messi or Haaland? Fans Divided on Who Deserves Ballon d’Or as City Ace Picks Up Another Award

• Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are the two favourites to win the Ballon d'Or
• Both players have enjoyed a fantastic run of form in recent months
• Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup, while Haaland inspired City to a UCL triumph

Fans are divided on whether Lionel Messi or Erling Haaland deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or after the Man City ace picked up the UEFA Best Player Award on Thursday evening.

Haaland scooped up the prestigious trophy ahead of a host of players after an impressive debut season with Manchester City.

The Norwegian hotshot was in fantastic shape last term and played a central role in City's triumph in the Champions League.

According to Goal, the former Borussia Dortmund ace plundered an eyewatering 52 goals for the English champions, with 12 of those coming on the continental stage.

A list of Champions League winners who also won the Ballon d’Or

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His spectacular goalscoring form in the continental showpiece saw him pick the UEFA Best Player Award on Thursday, August 31.

Messi to win Ballon d'Or?

Haaland winning the UEFA accolade has left fans confused about who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or between him and Messi.

While some fans now contend it is written in the stars Messi will win a record eighth Ballon d'Or award, there are those who see Haaland as the clear favourite.

@TheMahleek observed:

"Haaland won the UEFA player of the Year, that means Messi is winning the Ballon D’or."

@Tunnykvng added:

"Haaland can win all these smaller awards but you see that Ballon d'Or, we know who has it."

@Gbanger_Muizz posted:

"Nothing ! Absolutely nothing can stop Haaland from winning the Ballon D'or !"

@TimelineCR7 tweeted:

"Lionel Messi not robbing an award for the first time ever and now hopefully Haaland wins the Ballon d'Or too which he deserves."

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Meanwhile, Haaland beat a number of top players to cart home the prestigious UEFA award.

According to UEFA, Kevin De Bruyne and Lionel Messi were among the nominees for the accolade.

Haaland celebrates with pitch invader

Sports Brief also reported on the hilarious moment a pitch invader jumped Haaland in the midst of celebrating City’s opening goal against Sheffield United.

The fan appeared to come out of nowhere immediately when Haaland scored and he jumped on the former Borussia Dortmund man, who did not seem to mind.