Ballon d’Or 2023: Guardiola speaks on winner between Haaland, Messi

<p>Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has hinted that Lionel Messi will win this year’s Ballon d’Or prize.</p>, <p>Guardiola admits that although Erling Haaland scored many goals as City clinched a treble last season, Messi led Argentina to winning the 2022 World Cup.</p>, <p>He told a press conference on Friday: “I always said that the Ballon d’Or had to be two sections. One for Messi and one for the others.</p>, <p>“Haaland should win yes or yes. We won the treble, he scored a million goals. I’d love Erling to win. But Messi… Leo won the World Cup!”</p>, <p>Messi is widely expected to be named winner of the award for a record-extending eighth time on October 30.</p>, <p>It will take the 36-year-old clear of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won it five times.</p>