Messi or Haaland? Antoine Griezmann Makes Ballon d’Or Pick With Cheeky Remark

• Antoine Griezmann has cheekily nominated himself to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or award
• The 2023 tie is expected to be a two-way clash between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland
• The French forward is convinced Argentina's World Cup victory will play against Haaland

Antoine Griezmann has weighed in on the upcoming 2023 Ballon d'Or debate by hilariously backing himself for the award.

The Atlético de Madrid forward was among the 30 nominees who were named on September 6. The French star was among the stars of last season, featuring prominently in their World Cup run to the final.

He also contributed 15 goals and 16 assists, the most goal involvements in La Liga, as Atletico finished third in the Spanish top flight.

Griezmann will not be among the favourites to go all the way and win the award, but the 32-year-old still cheekily backed himself.

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"I should win it. You forgot that I am nominated too," he said, as quoted by PSG Talk.

The former Barcelona man then fronted one of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who will be expected to feature highly in the final ranking.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory, beating Mbappe and Griezmann in the final, leaving him as an outstanding favourite for an eighth title.

Why Haaland has Ballon d'Or disadvantage

The new Inter Miami star will face competition from Erling Haaland, who won the treble with Manchester City in his debut season in England.

However, Griezmann doesn't think so:

"If not me, then Messi or Mbappé. Haaland had a great season, but it’s a World Cup year, you know?"

Griezmann is currently away with the French squad on international duty. They play Germany on Tuesday in a friendly match.

Ballon d’Or: Messi to beat Haaland?

In a previous report, Sports Brief gave a breakdown of why Messi holds the Ballon d’Or advantage over Haaland in the 2023 vote despite the Manchester City star winning the treble.

Apart from the FIFA World Cup factor, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner starred in major games compared to the Norwegian’s outings in big games like the UEFA Champions League.