The missed award for World Footballer of the Year once again caused astonishment in Erling Haaland’s home country of Norway.
“How can Erling Haaland not be the best player in 2023?” asked former Bundesliga professional Jan Aage Fjörtoft on Twitter, adding: “If awards like these want to gain recognition among the players, they have to stop doing it… the awards will end up being worthless.” Manchester City’s favorite striker Haaland narrowly lost the election to Argentine world champion Lionel Messi.
“I have to calm down a bit first. I’m surprised,” said Carl-Erik Torp, former professional footballer and current expert at the Norwegian television station NRK, in an initial reaction and shortly afterwards added: “I would say this is a scandal.” Football expert Lars Tjaernaas from the daily newspaper “Aftenposten” also agreed: “Lionel Messi is the best player of all time. But he was not the best player in 2023. This award should have gone to Erling Braut Haaland.”
Haaland and Messi were not present at the awards ceremony in London on Monday evening. After a foot injury, the 23-year-old attacker Haaland is currently fighting for his comeback and wants to train with the Champions League winners from England. “He’s getting better and better. He’ll be back soon,” said Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola in an interview with NRK. Haaland’s father Alfie added on the same broadcaster: “It’s going much better, so he’ll be ready soon.” Accordingly, a return to gaming operations within a month is probably conceivable.
