Pep Guardiola opens up on Erling Haaland vs Lionel Messi battle for Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are two of the main candidates for the Ballon d’Or, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given his take on the debate about who should win it.

Pep Guardiola worked with Lionel Messi at Barcelona. He now manages Erling Haaland at City.

Haaland scored 52 goals for Manchester City last season, firing them to the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and a first-ever Champions League to complete a brilliant treble.

In most seasons, such a record would see Haaland be the overwhelming favourite for the Ballon d’Or, however, Messi’s talismanic role in helping Argentina to the World Cup has seen him installed as the favourite.

After playing a vital role in helping City win a historic treble, Guardiola was asked whether Haaland deserves to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi.

The City boss was asked: “I know you’re not a fan of individual awards in football but in 10 days we have the Ballon d’Or and there are two incredible stories.

“Messi with Argentina and Haaland here with the treble, if you had a vote, who would you vote for?”

Guardiola replied: “Hahaha. You are so funny.

“I’ve always said, the Ballon d’Or has to be two sections. One for Messi, and after look for the others. So, Haaland should win – Yes. We won the treble and he scored 50 million goals. The worst season of Messi is the best for the rest.”

He added: “They both deserve it so what can I say?”

City have seven players up for the award with Haaland, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva and Josko Gvardiol on the 30-man shortlist, as well as former captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Guardiola added: “It’s nice that many players for Man City will be there for the first time in many years and challenging for these trophies. That makes us so proud for our organisation.”