Lionel Messi won the 2022 Golden Ball, ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. A few days before the awards ceremony took place, Man City coach Pep Guardiola was asked who he chose for this year’s award. Pep replied:
“I always say the Golden Ball should be divided into two parts. One for Messi, one for the rest of the players. The worst season for Messi is still the best among the others.”
These comments are said to have hurt Haaland. Journalist Eduardo Inda revealed on El Chiringuito de Jugones about Haaland’s feelings:
“People close to the player told me that there has been some friction between Haaland and coach Guardiola since before the Ballon d’Or ceremony took place. Pep praised Messi too flatteringly, saying that Leo’s worst season was better than Haaland’s best season.
He praised both of them, but saying that made Haaland not very happy. There is a certain distance between the two of them. The relationship is not very good. What he has to say is that the Golden Ball should go to his star, not Leo Messi.”
Messi won his first Golden Ball in his career at the age of 22 in 2009, when he was playing under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. The two built a close relationship and respected each other, even when Pep left for another club.
Last season was the best season of Haaland’s career to date. He scored 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions, helping Man City win the treble. The 23-year-old also broke the record for scoring the most goals in a Premier League season (36 goals in 35 matches) and won the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot with 12 goals. But Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup championship has given Messi a big advantage in the Golden Ball race.