Erling Haaland has once again named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time, reportedly saying that Messi “is the best player ever to play football.” The comment comes just days after the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, where neither player finished near the top, and after a World Cup in which both men played major roles.
Haaland’s view is not new, and he has praised Messi in similar terms before. What makes this version interesting is the timing. A lot has happened in football in the last few months, and both men have a fresh story to tell.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or was awarded on 26 October at a ceremony in London, and Harry Kane won it. The Bayern Munich and England striker scored 73 goals for club and country over the season and became the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years. Kylian Mbappe finished second and Lamine Yamal third.
Messi, now 39 and playing for Inter Miami, finished fifth. Haaland finished eighth, the highest-placed Premier League player on the list. So the two men who were first and second in the 2023 vote were nowhere near the podium this time.
For Haaland, the next step is converting his scoring into the kind of trophies that win voters. Norway’s quarter-final run showed what the national team can do with him in form, and Manchester City remain competitive. If he adds a major team title to his goals, he will move higher in the Ballon d’Or vote.
Messi Had A Remarkable 2026 World Cup Campaign
Messi had a remarkable 2026 World Cup. He scored a hat trick against Algeria, became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history and finished with eight goals and four assists. Argentina reached a third straight final, but Spain won it 1-0 in extra time, and Messi was kept quiet. He took the Silver Ball, with Spain’s Rodri winning the Golden Ball.
Haaland had a strong tournament of his own. He scored seven goals, including a brace against Brazil in the round of 16 that sent the five-time champions home and took Norway into their first World Cup quarter-final. England ended Norway’s run in the next round. At one stage during the tournament, Haaland was level with Messi and Mbappe on seven goals each.
Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals, but the two stories that stayed with people were Messi’s legacy and Haaland’s arrival on the biggest stage.
Even in decline, Messi now owns the World Cup scoring record, with 21 goals across six tournaments. He has eight Ballon d’Or awards, which is still more than any other player. He won the 2022 World Cup and reached the final again in 2026, which is a rare level of sustained success on the international stage.
Critics will point out that his club form has dropped and that he lost the 2026 final. Supporters will answer that the numbers across his career are still unmatched, and that even at 39 he can dominate a World Cup match.
Has Haaland Praised Ronaldo Before?
When Erling Haaland said Lionel Messi is the best player ever to play football, some fans wondered where that left Cristiano Ronaldo. The answer is that Haaland has praised Ronaldo repeatedly, and for much longer. He has described him as an idol, an inspiration and a model for how to build a career.
Speaking to Borussia Dortmund’s YouTube channel around 2020, he was asked about his biggest idol as a child. He said he had many good players to look up to, and that he couldn’t pick just one, so he named two: Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The pairing makes sense when you watch him play. Haaland has the physical presence of Ibrahimovic and the ruthless finishing instincts of Ronaldo. Commentators at the time noted that his game seemed to take the best from both.
More recently, in an interview with TNT Brasil, Haaland said both Ronaldo and Messi are incredible role models for every player. He singled out Ronaldo’s discipline and physical condition, joking that the veteran should share what he does. “Look how he takes care of his body! It’s unbelievable. He is 40 years old,” he said.
There is also a famous moment off the pitch. A photo went viral of Haaland stepping out of a car to greet Ronaldo when he visited Al-Nassr’s training camp in Spain. Fans filled social media with comments about a young star meeting his hero.
FAQs
Q. Who did Erling Haaland pick as the greatest footballer ever?
A. Haaland picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo.
Q. Who won the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
A. Harry Kane won the award on October 26.
Q. Where did Messi finish in the 2026 Ballon d’Or voting?
A. Messi finished fifth in the voting.
Q. How many goals did Messi score at the 2026 World Cup?
A. Messi scored eight goals in the tournament.
Q. How many Ballon d’Or awards has Messi won?
A. Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards.
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