Need more nutmegs! Why ‘entertainer’ Lionel Messi deserved to beat Erling Haaland to FIFA Best Award in the eyes of Man City legend

Eyebrows were raised when it was announced at a glitzy ceremony in London that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi had added a historic third Best FIFA Men’s Player prize to his remarkable collection of honours. The voting process for that gong was not supposed to take the 2022 World Cup into consideration – which saw Messi inspire Argentina to global glory in Qatar – and many expected Haaland to get the nod after helping Manchester City to a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup Treble.

Former City captain Dunne is not surprised that the Norwegian frontman was overlooked. Speaking in association with William Hill, the Irishman told GOAL when asked if Haaland was unfortunate to miss out: “It’s very hard. You can look at it and go: ‘Is Haaland the best footballer in the world? Probably not. Is he the best goalscorer? Yeah, so if the award is for that, then great’. I love watching Messi play football. There are players that play football that are just from a different planet at times. I look at Haaland and think he’s unbelievable. You can put the ball anywhere in the box and he’ll score, but is he going to dribble it round five players and nutmeg people and be an entertainer – which I think football should be – then it’s no. I’m quite pleased that Messi got it because he’s a joy to watch. If it’s a statistical trophy, then the guys who score goals will always win it.”

While Haaland saw the FIFA Best award slip through his grasp, he is expected to get his hands on individual prizes at some stage. With Messi edging towards the end of his remarkable career, alongside eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, a new generation of talent is ready to burst through.

Haaland is expected to form part of that group, along with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, with it possible that they could all be on the books of Real Madrid at some stage. Asked if it is only a matter of time before Haaland lands a Ballon d’Or, Dunne added: “I think so. Obviously winning the Champions League pushes him above most around him. The disappointment will be international-wise that he hasn’t gone on to a major tournament as yet. He makes such an impact for any team in world football. There are not many like him, if any, that score the amount of goals he does. When the Ballons d’Or are handed out in the post-Ronaldo and Messi era, you are going to be looking at the likes of Haaland, Mbappe and Bellingham. They could all be playing for Real Madrid, and then it becomes a right good battle between the three of them. While Haaland is at City and they are winning Champions Leagues, then you would put him ahead of players from other clubs.”

Haaland has returned from injury in time to aid City’s bid to successfully defend the three major titles that they won in 2022-23. Messi, meanwhile, will be hoping to enhance his standing as the most decorated player of all-time when Inter Miami open their 2024 campaign – with four trophies up for grabs there.