“If he doesn’t get it then it’s a scandal” – Michail Antonio names player who ‘deserves’ 2023 Ballon d'Or

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has insisted it would be scandalous if Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland isn't named the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner.

Haaland was a revelation during his debut campaign at the Etihad following a £51 million move from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022. The Norwegian frontman was unstoppable, bagging 52 goals and nine assists in 53 games across competitions.

The 23-year-old won the Golden Boot by scoring 36 goals in 35 league games. He broke the record for the most goals scored by a player in a single Premier League campaign. He was also the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, netting 12 times in 11 matches.

Haaland was instrumental in City's continental treble triumph but he's not expected to win the Ballon d'Or. Lionel Messi has allegedly been informed he'll pick up the award for a record eighth time on October 30.

Antonio acknowledged Messi finally cementing his legacy by winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina last year. However, he can't look past the City star's record-breaking debut campaign and thinks it will be a scandal if he misses out on the award.

The West Ham striker said on his Footballers' Footballer podcast (via Manchester Evening News):

"I understand Messi winning the World Cup is massive, but you can't look past a treble-winning team and what Haaland bought to that, breaking records. He deserves that Ballon d'Or. If he doesn't get it then it's a scandal."

Messi, 36, was awarded the World Cup's Golden Ball for his exploits in Qatar. The Argentine icon bagged seven goals and three assists in seven games and won his second FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.

The Inter Miami superstar was also impressive for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last season. He registered 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 games across competitions, winning his second Ligue 1 title.

---

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland deserves Ballon d'Or win

Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland for the award.

Pep Guardiola gave his take on who should win the award later this month, and he is backing his City frontman. The City coach, who previously coached Lionel Messi at Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, acknowledged Haaland's goal tally (via BBC Sport):

"Haaland should win - Yes. We won the treble and he scored 50 million goals."

However, Guardiola expressed how highly he regards Messi by insisting the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner deserves a category of his own:

"The Ballon d'Or has to be two sections. One for Messi, and after look for the others."

Haaland is gunning for the first Ballon d'Or award of his career and he won UEFA Men's Player of the Year in August. However, Messi's World Cup heroics are likely to see the award heading in his direction.