West Ham United striker, Michail Antonio has said it would be scandalous if Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland is not named the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner ahead of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.
Antonio believes Haaland, who won the Treble – Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Messi.
“I understand Messi winning the World Cup is massive, but you can’t look past a treble-winning team and what Haaland brought to that, breaking records,” Antonio said on his Footballers’ Footballer podcast (via Manchester Evening News).
“He deserves the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t get it then it’s a scandal.”
Haaland was spectacular during his debut campaign for Man City.
The Norwegian scored 52 goals and registered nine assists in 53 games across competitions, winning the Premier League Golden Boot.
The 23-year-old was also the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, netting 12 times in 11 matches.