Lionel Messi has made a big admission about Erling Haaland after beating the Manchester City striker to the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.
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Speaking after winning his eighth Ballon d'Or on Monday, the 36-year-old shared his thoughts on the Norwegian international's 2022/23 campaign after being specifically asked about the Premier League star and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, who finished second and third, respectively.
Going into the ceremony in Paris, many believed Haaland deserved the prize following his club achievements last season, but it was not to be for the 23-year-old.
The Inter Miami forward, however, has acknowledged that the former Borussia Dortmund striker would have also been a rightful recipient of the prize after collecting his latest Golden Ball.
"Haaland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or one day," he said, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
"Erling deserved it very much too, he has won Premier League, Champions League while being the top scorer of everything.
"This award could have been yours today too. I’m sure in the next years you will win it."
Haaland scored 52 goals for the Citizens as they claimed the treble last season, and broke the single-season Premier League record after netting on 36 occasions.
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Messi, meanwhile, lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina in Qatar and won the tournament's Golden Ball award.
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