Pep Guardiola discusses Erling Haaland’s current form and his Ballon d’Or hopes

Ahead of Manchester City’s return to Champions League duties on Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola has spoken about Erling Haaland’s start to the season and how the Norwegian superstar is dealing with the expectations that he has set.

 

Guardiola praises Haaland’s start to the new campaign

Managing to make what was a welcomed return to winning ways over the weekend as they clung to a 2-1 victory against Brighton, it is no secret that Manchester City’s record-breaking talisman has another crucial role to play across all fronts this season.

Finding the net on his return from October’s international break on Saturday afternoon, the former Borussia Dortmund marksman has notched nine Premier League goals in as many appearances and is tipped as a leading contender to defend his Golden Boot this season.

Speaking ahead of City’s Champions League trip to Young Boys on Tuesday night, Guardiola has discussed Haaland’s start to the new campaign and how the Norwegian icon will feel that he could have registered even more than his current tally of nine top-flight strikes.

“The expectations are so high but he handles it really well.”

“He knows, he could’ve scored even more goals in that group stage, nine Premier League games… he could’ve scored more goals than last season.”

🇳🇴 Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland: “The expectations are so high but he handles it really well”.

“He knows, he could’ve scored even more goals in that group stage, nine PL games… he could’ve scored more goals than last season”. pic.twitter.com/MBMmynJ860

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 23, 2023

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Guardiola feels that Haaland should win the 2023 Ballon d’Or

Storming his way to the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season and breaking a string of domestic records almost by the week, Guardiola has made it clear on who he believes should be crowned with this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

While the ex-Barcelona boss might feel that his latest attacking protege should lift his first Ballon d’Or crown at the annual ceremony on October 20th, he has stated that a certain Lionel Messi is the most likely candidate to get his hands on a history-making eighth award.

“Haaland should win yes or yes. We won the treble, he scored a million goals. I’d love Erling to win. But Messi… Leo won the World Cup!”

🗣️ “The Ballon d’Or has to be two sections. One for Messi, and after look for the others. So, Haaland should win – Yes. We won the treble and he scored 50 million goals. The worst season of Messi is the best for the rest.”

Pep Guardiola on who should win the Ballon d’Or. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/uwAWpJreCM

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 20, 2023

Finally getting their hands on a maiden European trophy last season and becoming the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions, Manchester City have their sights firmly set on making even more history this time around.

 

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