A Manchester City first-team star has explained why he currently backs Lionel Messi to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or over his own teammate Erling Haaland, who has scored 52 goals so far this season.
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The award for the world's best player will be handed out by France Football in October, after the organisers decided in March last year that the accolade will move in line with the regular European season.
Haaland is widely considered a favourite for the prestigious prize this year, although Messi's performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup mean the Argentine, perhaps as things stand, is currently the frontrunner.
City midfielder Bernardo Silva certainly seems to believe this, saying in a recent interview that Haaland could be talked about for the Ballon d'Or if he wins the double with the Citizens.
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"If Haaland wins Premier League and Champions League, you can put him in the Ballon d'Or discussion, and you can also talk about Vini Jr. if Madrid win the Champions League," he told France Football.
"In general, it is between Messi and the winner of the Champions League, and so far, I will give it to Messi."
The Argentine has won the Ballon d'Or on seven occasions, two more than his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Karim Benzema was handed the award in 2022 after his incredible 2021/22 campaign, in which he helped guide Real Madrid to a 14th European crown.
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