Erling Haaland makes yet another case for Ballon d'Or after Manchester Derby

Widad October 29, 2023 0

 

Photo: Erling Haaland 

After his incredible rise to World Cup victory in Qatar, Lionel Messi is anticipated to get a record-tying ninth Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday. In the end, the idea of a happy and satisfying story arc will be pitted against the hard truths of raw data, Sportingnews accords.

Haaland ought to be the clear winner in the latter categories. As City won the treble the previous season, he scored 52 goals in 53 games. Even though the 23-year-old hasn't been playing at his best lately, he has 11 goals and counting going into this weekend. He chose the 191st Manchester Derby to give his best performance in 2023–2024 thus far. 

As Julian Alvarez, Foden, Grealish, and Silva darted past an overburdened United defense, Haaland was the imposing center point. After some supporters brought up the Roy Keane tackle that, in effect, ended his father Alf-Inge Haaland's career in 2001, he was thrilled with his first goal and could have scored several more had it not been for Onana's valiant efforts.

 This time, it will have to be two goals and one assist. Maybe second on the podium to the greatest of them all would have to do in the French capital. He'll put up with it.