"What more can you do??" - Former PL striker claims Erling Haaland deserves the Ballon d'Or over Lionel Messi this year

Former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft has backed his countryman, Erling Haaland, to win the Ballon d'Or over Lionel Messi.

Fabrizio Romano recently tweeted that Messi is expected to win his eighth Ballon d'Or on 30 October when the ceremony takes place in Paris. Fjortoft, who played for Middlesbrough, Swindon Town and Barnsley among other clubs, replied to it on X, saying:

"Messi the Best EVER But the winner this season for me @ErlingHaaland... What more can you do??"

Messi bagged the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, where he won the Golden Ball after scoring seven times in as many matches. He registered 21 goals and 20 assists for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 40 games last season, winning the league title.

Since joining Inter Miami this summer, the 36-year-old has recorded 11 goals and five assists in 14 games. Haaland, on the other hand, did not participate in the World Cup as Norway failed to qualify for the tournament.

But the 23-year-old forward scored 52 times in 53 games across competitions last season as Manchester City became only the second English team to win the continental treble. He broke the record for most goals in a Premier League season (36 strikes in 35 games) and won the Golden Boot in the Champions League after netting 12 goals.

Even if Messi wins the award at the Theatre de Chatelet, Haaland seems set to become the first male Norwegian player in history to finish on the Ballon d'Or podium. Norway's Ada Hegerberg claimed the inaugural edition of the Ballon d'Or Féminin in 2018.

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When did Lionel Messi win his last Ballon d'Or award?

Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or wins in football history, with seven to his name. He is two clear of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the trophy five times.

Messi last won the Ballon d'Or in 2021, just a few months after sealing a free transfer from Barcelona to PSG. He won the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament as Argentina lifted the Copa America in 2021 — his first major international trophy.

Lionel Messi also ended the 2020-21 season with a tally of 38 goals and 14 assists in 47 games across competitions. Before 2021, he won the Ballon d'Or in 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009.

The current Inter Miami superstar finished second in the standings in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 and was placed third when the award was handed out in 2007.