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A section of football fans have claimed Manchester City forward Erling Haaland as ‘robbed’ the Ballon d’Or award which was handed to Lionel Messi for the eighth time on Monday.
A section of fans have complained about the Ballon d’Or lacking ‘fairness’ after Lionel Messi was handed the 2023 award.
Argentina captain Messi scooped a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Messi led Argentina to a FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar last year before winning the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain while Haaland played a pivotal role in City claiming the treble of Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup, scoring over 50 goals, but it was not enough to topple Messi, who managed 32 goals and 25 assists.
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08:21 - 31.10.2023
'Are you the GOAT?' — Lionel Messi finally responds after extending gap over Ronaldo with 8th Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi has finally opened up on the GOAT debate after lifting a record-extending 8th Ballon d'Or in Paris.
However, some fans felt the Norwegian was ‘robbed’ because his numbers and achievements surpassed Messi.
“Scored 52 goals in the season. Scored 12 goals in the UCL. Won a record treble. Loses the Ballon d’Or to a guy playing in North America because of five penalties in a seven-game game tournament. Football failed Haaland tonight,” remarked a fan who felt Haaland deserved to win.
“Biggest Ballon d'Or robberies in football history. Erling Haaland robbed in favour of Messi,” said another one.
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21:00 - 26.10.2023
STARS ABROAD Helpless Victor Wanyama does not understand why he turned into a bench warmer at CF Montreal
The former Harambee Stars captain has been relegated to the bench at CF Montreal by a teenager in recent times, leaving his future with the Canadian club bleak.
“All of you in charge of Ballon d’Or helped Messi with all these robberies. We have lived it all. First, they robbed [Robert] Lewadowski for him, now Haaland. They basically handed him the World Cup by awarding him baseless penalties. The truth will come out,” commented another Haaland fan.
“If Messi had exactly the Halaand season, he will still win the Ballon d’Or. If Messi had [Kevin] De Bruyne’s season, he will still win the Ballon d’Or. If Messi had [Kylian] Mbappe’s season, he will still win the Ballon d’Or. If Messi had the Julien Alvarez season, he will be the favourite. This tells you all you need to know. This award is not worth the hype,” was the observation of another supporter.
“You're 23 and you won the treble. This kind of season comes once in lifetime. After having this kind of season, you would expect to win the Ballon d'Or. Ballon d’Or is a once in a lifetime thing for some people. When you get denied of that at such young age, it'll surely hurt you.”
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13:43 - 27.10.2023
STARS ABROAD Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga shares frame with football legend Cristiano Ronaldo
Harambee Stars' Michael Olunga celebrated a memorable clash with Ronaldo in the Asian Champions League.
However, some supporters believe the Inter Miami forward had an edge over Haaland for leading his country to the World Cup.
“Messi deserved the Ballon d'Or, the best there ever was fulfilling his destiny and winning the World Cup with Argentina,” said a Messi fan.
“The alternative was Haaland who just stat padded against the likes of Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Crystal Palace while averaging about eight touches a game,” said another one.
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09:00 - 28.10.2023
FOOTBALL Lionel Messi nominated for MLS Newcomer of the Year Award despite playing fewer than 400 minutes
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is among finalists for the MLS Newcomer of the Year Award after playing just six matches in the Major League Soccer this year
Messi finished first in the vote with three Manchester City players making the top five. With Haaland in second place, his team-mate Kevin De Bruyne was third while Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe came fourth ahead of City midfielder Rodri.
The former Barcelona star has now won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
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