West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has hit out at reports suggesting Lionel Messi will win the 2023 Ballon d’Or award this year after the results were “leaked.” The Premier League footballer has claimed that it would be a “scandal” if the World Cup winner were to win one of football’s most prestigious awards for the eighth time in his illustrious career.
Messi has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or following yet another incredible year, which saw him lift the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar. The former Barcelona star subsequently sought a surprising move to MLS team Inter Miami following a two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won two consecutive Ligue 1 titles.
The 36-year-old has hit the ground running at Miami, scoring 11 goals and registering five assists in just 14 games. The football icon was also instrumental in helping win the club’s first trophy – the Leagues Cup.
But despite his accomplishments, Antonio believes that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is more deserving of the award.
“I understand Messi winning the World Cup is massive,” Antonio said via the Footballer’s Football Podcast. “But you can’t look past a treble-winning team and what Haaland bought to that, breaking records. He deserves that Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t get it then it’s a scandal.”
Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson, who co-hosts the podcast, agreed with the claim. “What Haaland did last season can’t be overlooked,” he added. “If you take away international football and compare statistically… Haaland should win the award.
“You can’t look past Messi winning his first World Cup as it’s a big contributing factor, but club football-wise he’s been playing in America which is very different to Haaland in the Premier League.”
Don’t miss…
Pep Guardiola gives Lionel Messi or Erling Haaland Ballon d’Or verdict[REVEALED]
Man Utd star Garnacho told he should have got red card for ‘baby-level antics'[REPORTS]
Kylian Mbappe’s mum may have leaked his love of Man Utd and four other clubs[LATEST]
- Advert-free experience without interruptions.
- Rocket-fast speedy loading pages.
- Exclusive & Unlimited access to all our content.
Alongside Messi, who would become the first MLS player ever to win the award, Haaland is also up for the Ballon d’Or best men’s player award with his Manchester City teammate Rodri and PSG forward Kylian Mbappe. Several reports have claimed that Messi has already been informed of his victory, but Haaland also stakes a strong claim.
The Norwegian scored a record-breaking 36 goals in his 35 Premier League appearances last season, breaking Andy Cole and Alan Shearer’s record of 34 goals in the 42-game season. In total the striker scored 52 goals in all competitions and won the treble with the team – the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
The winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or will be unveiled at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday, October 30.
Source: Read Full Article