Stale Solbakken, the manager of Norway’s national team, appears to have thrown his support behind Lionel Messi over Erling Haaland for the coveted Ballon d’Or award, a move that may come as a surprise to the young Norwegian star.
In a candid revelation to VG, Solbakken voiced his prediction, stating, “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.”
Solbakken’s sentiments echo the prevailing sentiment among fans and experts, who widely regard Lionel Messi as the front-runner for the forthcoming Ballon d’Or.
Norway’s manager is backing Messi over Haaland 👀 pic.twitter.com/PD22k8R71z
— GOAL (@goal) September 11, 2023
Messi’s iconic performances throughout the competition played a pivotal role in securing Argentina’s World Cup victory, ultimately earning him the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s standout player.
Solbakken’s endorsement could hold significant weight, particularly among the Norwegian journalists tasked with casting their votes for the prestigious award.
The Ballon d’Or is determined by a panel of 100 journalists hailing from FIFA’s top 100 ranked member nations. Each journalist is tasked with selecting their top five choices from the 30-player shortlist, with varying points allocated to each ranking.
The unexpected nature of Solbakken’s stance, particularly given his close professional association with Erling Haaland, has not gone unnoticed.
Fans on social media have seized upon this statement to bolster the case for Lionel Messi, highlighting that even Haaland’s own managers do not appear to endorse his chances over Messi. This sentiment is further reinforced by the belief that Pep Guardiola, a long-time admirer of the Argentine, is also likely to champion Messi’s cause.
Erling Haaland on his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or
In an exclusive interview with France Football, Erling Haaland candidly discussed his prospects of clinching the prestigious Ballon d’Or, shedding light on his focus and aspirations in the sport.
When probed about his ability to surpass Lionel Messi and claim a major honor, Haaland responded, “It’s a trick question. I’m definitely up there. Am I the best? Maybe. I know I can still improve a great deal. I’m still young. But yes, I believe I have a chance this year.”
Haaland’s remarks indicate that he is not allowing the race for individual accolades to distract him from his primary goal: continuous improvement in his game, benefiting both his club and national team. However, he does believe he stands a chance to win the accolade in the upcoming event.
• “If you could take one quality from another player, what would it be and who?”
Erling Haaland: “I wish I had Messi’s dribbling. It’s quite a good choice, isn’t it? (laughs)” @FranceFootball_ 🗣️🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/Bp864bIyvU
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) September 9, 2023
The 67th edition of the Ballon d’Or is slated to take place on October 30 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with the award presented by France Football Magazine.
On the field, Haaland is gearing up to join forces with manager Stale Solbakken as Norway prepares to square off against Georgia in a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier in Group A. Norway currently occupies the third spot in the group standings, trailing behind Scotland and Spain.
Notably, Haaland recently featured as an unused substitute in Norway’s friendly match against Jordan, which culminated in a resounding 6-0 victory for the Norwegian side.