Erling Haaland: Man City Star's 2024 Ballon d'Or Chances Dampened After Euro 2024 Miss

• Norway failed to qualify for the Euro 2024 championships after finishing third in Group A
• This will be the third successive major global championship Erling Haaland will miss out on
• Sports Brief takes a look at why his 2024 Ballon d'Or chances have already taken a major hit

As far as coming close to winning the Ballon d'Or and not winning it eventually, Erling Haaland's 2022/2023 story will go right up there in history.

I mean, what else could a man do after winning the treble, which included a maiden Champions League title for his new club? On top of that, he plundered in 52 goals in 53 appearances, or as Pep Guardiola said - a million goals.

Short answer: the existence of a diminutive guy from Rosario, Argentina, who completed the most beautiful story of football by winning the World Cup.

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The staging of the Mundial in the middle of the season was always going to complicate issues in the vote. Coupled with Messi's exquisite performances, it was over as soon as Gonzalo Montiel buried that decisive penalty on December 18.

Haaland at Euro 2024 Championships

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Erling, the same script is bound to repeat itself next year. Norway's failure to qualify for the Euro 2024 championships is set to cost him dearly.

He, alongside Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, is set to be among the biggest absentees of the tournament.

In hindsight, as his fellow 2024 Ballon d'Or contenders troop to Germany, the 23-year-old will probably depart for his holidays.

International trophies often play a huge role in deciding which way the Golden Ball goes.

This year's was a little bit straightforward because the World Cup is the biggest trophy a footballer can lay his hands on. A quick check on the years we had continental tournaments and subsequent winners paints a grim picture for Haaland.

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Messi's Copa America year

For instance, Messi beat Robert Lewandowski in the 2021 race, per FourFourTwo, after winning his first Copa America - his first senior international trophy.

This was despite the Pole outscoring everyone. His biggest undoing? He couldn't match Messi's tally in the Euros, where Poland were eliminated in the group stages.

In conclusion, Haaland's absence in Germany next year will deny him an opportunity to bring something extra when the contenders will be under scrutiny.

He might score 60 goals again, repeat the treble with the Citizens, but you just get the feeling that a Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane Euro win will work against him.

Again!

Fans want Ronaldo awarded Ballon d'Or

Sports Brief has also reported on fans celebrating enthusiastically on social media after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace on November 24.

The Portuguese veteran helped propel Al-Nassr to a 3-0 victory against Al-Akhdoud in their Saudi Pro League encounter at home.

Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to applaud his efforts, with one enthusiast stating that Ronaldo should be given the Ballon d'Or next year.