According to coach Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland has a great chance to win the 2024 Golden Ball if he plays impressively and wins many titles with his teammates this season.
In the voting to win the 2023 Golden Ball, Erling Haaland ranked ahead of Kylian Mbappe (PSG) but finished second behind superstar Lionel Messi (PSG). Despite his impressive performance with Man City last season, the Norwegian striker was still not honored despite receiving a lot of support.
However, Haaland is still young and is expected to soon receive the prestigious award. After Man City defeated Young Boys, coach Pep Guardiola pointed out the conditions for Haaland to win the 2024 Golden Ball. He said: “If Haaland and his teammates can win many championships in the 2023/24 season, “He has a chance to receive the Golden Ball title. If he cannot meet the above conditions, the chance for Haaland is not great.”
Against Young Boys, Haaland had a goal on the penalty spot and a beautiful long-range shot. Haaland doesn’t often shoot from outside the 16m50 box and Pep seemed very surprised by Haaland’s goal.
Commenting on his goal for the game, Guardiola said: “Normally, Haaland scores from the penalty spot, or in the penalty area. Seeing him score from long range was quite surprising. Haaland has the ability to do so. This and this is not the first time scoring a goal like that. Haaland still shows his talent for scoring goals. He received the ball, didn’t think much and then swung his leg right away. An impressive goal and before that, the strike. Foden’s goal was also very impressive. Both had excellent goals.”
Winning 12 absolute points after 4 matches, Pep Guardiola’s team booked early tickets to the round of 16 of the Champions League. However, Guardiola still has “tasks” assigned to his students in the remaining two matches of the group stage: “We still have goals to complete in this group stage. Man City has completed the first step – getting tickets. into the round of 16 of the Champions League, but there is still work for the team to do. The team needs to finish at the top of Group G to ensure the second leg of the 1/8 round to play at Etihad’s home field.”