Lionel Messi vs. Erling Haaland: Who Will Win the 2023 Ballon d'Or?

Two of the most exciting players in the world, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, are both considered to be strong candidates for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award. It is shaping up to be a close competition, with both players having had outstanding seasons.

Messi's World Cup Triumph

Messi's case for the Ballon d'Or is boosted by his triumph with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. It was the one major trophy that had eluded him throughout his career, and he finally got his hands on it in Qatar. Messi was named the player of the tournament, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in seven matches.

Haaland's Goalscoring Prowess

Haaland, on the other hand, had a phenomenal goalscoring season. He scored 56 goals in 57 matches for Manchester City, winning the Premier League Golden Boot and helping his team to win the league title and the FA Cup. Haaland's goalscoring record is simply staggering, and he is one of the most feared strikers in the world.

Statistical Comparison

Here is a statistical comparison of Messi and Haaland's performances in the 2022/2023 season:

As you can see, both players had excellent seasons, but Haaland's goalscoring record is simply outstanding. He scored more goals than Messi in fewer games, and he also has a better goals per game ratio.

Other Factors

However, goalscoring is not the only factor that is considered when voting for the Ballon d'Or. Other factors such as creativity, leadership, and overall impact on the team are also important. In this regard, Messi has the edge over Haaland. Messi is a more complete player, and he is able to create chances for his teammates as well as score goals himself. He is also the captain of Argentina and Barcelona, and he is a natural leader.

Prediction

So, who will win the 2023 Ballon d'Or? It is a very close call, but I believe that Messi has the edge. His World Cup triumph is a major achievement, and he is still one of the best players in the world. Haaland is also a world-class player, but he is still young and developing. I think he has a good chance of winning the Ballon d'Or in the future, but I believe that Messi will win it in 2023.

Conclusion

The 2023 Ballon d'Or is shaping up to be a close competition between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. Both players had outstanding seasons, but I believe that Messi has the edge due to his World Cup triumph and his all-round game. However, Haaland is a world-class player who is only getting better, and he has a good chance of winning the Ballon d'Or in the future.