Erling Haaland names Lionel Messi as ‘best that has ever played’ football

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

The Manchester City striker - who was pipped to the Ballon d’Or by Argentina’s World Cup winner in 2023 - was quizzed on his hopes of winning the prize in future.

“Things couldn’t have gone any better for you in your first year here. And yet you missed out to Messi on the two big individual prizes. For you to actually win those, does he have to retire?” Haaland was asked during a press conference ahead of City’s Champions League fixture against Copenhagen.

“Good question,” the striker responded.

“He is the best that has ever played I think, so yeah.”