As far as coming close to winning the Ballon d’Or and not winning it eventually, Erling Haaland’s 2022/2023 story will go right up there in history.
I mean, what else could a man do after winning the treble, which included a maiden Champions League title for his new club? On top of that, he plundered in 52 goals in 53 appearances, or as Pep Guardiola says… a million goals.
Short answer: the existence of a diminutive guy from Rosario, Argentina, who completed the most beautiful story of football by winning the World Cup.
The staging of the World Cup in the middle of the season was always going to complicate issues in the vote. Coupled up with Messi’s exquisite performances, it was over as soon as Gonzalo Montiel buried that penalty penalty on December 18.
Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Erling, the same script is bound to repeat itself next year. Norway’s failure to qualify for the Euro 2024 championships is set to cost him dearly.
He, alongside Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, is set to be among the biggest absentees of the tournament.
In hindsight, as his fellow 2024 Ballon d’Or contenders troop to Germany, the 23-year-old will probably depart for his holidays.
International trophies often play a huge role in deciding which way the Golden Ball goes.
This year’s was a little bit straightforward cause the World Cup is the biggest trophy a footballer can lay his hands on. A quick check on the years where we had continental tournaments and subsequent winners paints a grim picture for Haaland.