Norway Coach Explains Why Messi Should Win Ballon 'Or Ahead of Haaland

• Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi are the two favourites to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or award
• Both players enjoyed an impressive year, with Messi inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory
• The duo will come up against 28 other footballers, who have been nominated for the award

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has broken it down on why Erling Haaland should not win the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.

Haaland is among 30 football stars who have been nominated for the prestigious award ahead of its ceremony in Paris at the end of October.

The towering striker made the cut after an impressive debut season with Manchester City that saw him notch 52 goals across competitions to help the club win a historic treble.

According to Sportbible, the striker netted 36 goals in the English top flight to break the Premier League record for the most goals scored in a single season.

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Norway coach backs Messi for Ballon d'Or

Despite Haaland's exploits, his fellow countryman Solbakken believes Lionel Messi should win the 2023 edition of the Ballon d'Or ahead of the youngster.

According to the tactician, Messi deserves the crown, especially owing to his role in helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Argentina.

"If you ask me who I think will win, I will say Messi will win it thanks to his World Cup triumph. It still has an impact," he explained to Norwegian outlet VG.

Messi also enjoyed significant success at club level, lifting the French Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Barcelona legend has won the Ballon d'Or on seven occasions, the most by any player in the history of the award.

Haaland rates his Ballon chances

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Erling Haaland has exuded confidence in beating Lionel Messi to win the 2023 edition of the Ballon d'Or award.

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The Man City hotshot and Messi are the two firm favourites to win the prestigious award this year.

Thirty players have been shortlisted for the award ahead of its ceremony slated for October 30 in Paris.

The nominees include Karim Benzema, who won the gong last year, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane.