Erling Haaland gives his opinion on the debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Erling Haaland believes Lionel Messi is the best to have ever played football.

He city ​​of manchester The star spoke about the Argentine superstar in an interview ahead of the Champions League clash against Copenhagen. live on talkSPORTWhen asked about his hopes of winning the Golden Ball.

Haaland missed football's top prize in 2023 like Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Orbeating Haaland and Kylian Mbappé for the crown.

messi and Cristiano Ronaldo They have dominated football for many years, however, it is believed that Haaland and Mbappé could be the next couple to fight to be football's top star.

Haaland's debut season with City saw him score 52 goals in 53 games and win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and the Club World Cup in 2023.

But with Messi's World Cup victory with Argentina in December 2022, Haaland's achievements were still not enough to win the top prize.

Before the Copenhagen game, a journalist asked: “Things couldn't have gone better for you in your first year here. And yet you missed out on the two big individual awards against Messi.

“In order for you to win them, does he have to retire?”

Responding to the question, Haaland said: “I don't know, good question.

'Yes, it's true that he won it and won the World Cup, so I don't know what to say.

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“I think he's the best he's ever played, yeah, I don't know.”

Haaland's praise may not sit well with Ronaldo, Messi's old rival.

The Portuguese star has won five Ballon d'Or awards and makes a credible case for being the greatest soccer player of all time.