SUMMARY
- The GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is never ending.
- Haaland pointed out that Lionel Messi has to retire for someone else to call the best.
The latest comments from Erling Haaland have stirred up the conversation within the soccer community. The Norwegian striker was full of praise for Lionel Messi ahead of his UCL return leg against Copenhagen in the round of 16. The striker dubbed Messi the greatest player of all time, which has added another layer to the story of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
Haaland came second best to Lionel Messi for the 2023 edition of the accolade awarded by France Football. Many fans and experts believed that the Manchester City striker should have won the award after his historic treble-winning season with the English club.
Some reports even claimed that losing the award to Messi might push Haaland to Real Madrid. A move to Spain and especially to Real Madrid is expected to boost the chances of players to win individual awards like FIFA Best and Ballon d’Or.
Erling Haaland settles the GOAT debate
There was a false narrative that was building around Haaland and his opinion on various matters regarding Lionel Messi. However, all those narratives were squashed when the Manchester City striker gave the nod to the Argentine forward in the GOAT debate ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. The comment pointed out that Lionel Messi has to retire for someone else to call the best.
🚨 Erling Haaland: “Lionel Messi is the best player that has ever played football. Maybe he has to retire for someone else to be regarded as the best.” @IanCheeseman 🇳🇴🐐 pic.twitter.com/qMIUvwGEcU
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 5, 2024
Haaland stated (via: Ian Cheeseman): “I’ve won it all but I’m only 23, so I want to win it all again. Messi is the best that has ever played, maybe he has to retire for someone else to be regarded as the best.” These comments were welcomed by Barcelona fans, who have been hoping that the lethal striker might transfer to their club in the future.
Erling Haaland can join Lionel Messi on an elusive list with another treble
These comments not only settled the GOAT debate for some sections of fans but also added fuel narrative of Haaland’s move to FC Barcelona. It has been reported that Haaland’s agent is close with the current president of FC Barcelona. This connection might push the striker to Spain to rival Real Madrid and their potential signing of Kylian Mbappe.
Erling Haaland wasn’t broken for long 🤖 pic.twitter.com/5I8Yc776ED
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 4, 2024
Erling Haaland has already stamped his authority in England with a treble in the first season. However, the next treble-winning season can put him on an elusive list alongside Lionel Messi. There are only a handful of players that have won the treble twice. The Norwegian striker might move to Barcelona to win his second treble, where Lionel Messi won both of his.
Meanwhile, in the current season, Erling Haaland is focused on his second season with Manchester City, where the chance to win another treble is still open. Manchester City are only a point behind Liverpool in the Premier League table. Haaland has scored 28 goals in 31 appearances for the English club in the current season to prove once again that he is the best striker in Europe at present.