Pep Guardiola says striker Erling Haaland can win the Ballon d’Or in the future, after missing out on this year’s award to Lionel Messi.
The Norwegian striker was ranked in second place above Kylian Mbappe but behind the eight-time winner Lionel Messi.
Haaland broke many records in the 2022/2023 season, scoring a staggering amount of goals as Manchester City won the treble, but Guardiola insists the striker should not be discouraged.
“I saw him so happy to be a contender close to Messi and Mbappe and the rest of players. It was a good night for Man City. Big congratulations for Messi and Bonmati for the awards”, said the City boss.
“Man City was there, it was so important for us because in the past many times we weren’t there. For the first time we were important being there.
“Haaland has all his career ahead of him. He has to continue winning and a chance to say ‘maybe next season I can be there’. He was really pleased to be in there, he was well when he came back.”
The champions host AFC Bournemouth this weekend with City two points off first placed Tottenham. A win would see them overtake Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou’s side playing on Monday evening against Chelsea.
Guardiola’s side had no game in midweek, due to being knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the third round by Newcastle.
City are in fine form with three wins in a row in all competitions, including last week’s emphatic win at Old Trafford against rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola said: “It was not easy, it helped to score the second goal early on. After that we controlled. We have a lot of respect for United. We won it because we played a good game but that’s all.
“It’s nice to have a break, a week, one or two days off. The guys come back rejuvenated. We don’t complain when we have a lot of games.”
