After finishing runner-up in the Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi can Erling Haaland finally beat the Argentinean legend to a major award? The pair have been nominated alongside Kylian Mbappe for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023.
#TheBest FIFA Men’s Player Finalists! 🏆🤩
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappe
🇦🇷 Lionel MessiLearn more about the final three. 👀🧵
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2023
Haaland’s nomination for the award caps a stellar 22/23 campaign for City’s number 9. He scored 52 goals in 53 appearances last season as he helped Manchester City claim the treble during his first season with the club. So far this campaign Haaland has scored 19 goals in 22 appearances.
Haalad picked up an impressive haul of awards at the end of last season. He took home the Premier League Golden Boot, the European Golden Shoe, Premier League Player of the Season, Premier League Young Player of the Season, FWA Footballer of the Year, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, the Gerd Muller Trophy and made the UEFA Team of the Season.
Erling Haaland’s superb 22/23 season and form this season could see him take home yet another award. His performances last season were one for the ages and will go down in football history. The Norwegian striker redefined goal scoring and a number of records fell and continue to fall as Haaland continues to shine. If it wasn’t for Messi leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup Haaland likely would have taken home the Ballon d’Or.
The FIFA Best Awards will likely see the pair face off for another major award. While Kylian Mbappe is also nominated he will likely finish third to Messi and Haaland based on what the pair achieved last season.
With the award due to announced in London on January 15th, the wait for the announcement of a winner won’t be a long one.
