‘We know who’s going to win’ – Emiliano Martinez reacts to Ballon d’Or nomination and reveals who deserves award out of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland

One of the favorites is Messi
What Happened was also nominated by Martinez to face Erling Haaland? Martinez was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after helping Argentina win the World Cup, but the Aston Villa goalkeeper thinks Messi will almost certainly win after leading his team to victory in 2022. Erling Haaland, who scored 52 goals for Manchester City last season, may be his only genuine rival, but Martinez is adamant that Messi will add a seventh Ballon d’Or to his incredible collection of trophies.

WHAT THEY SAID: Martinez said: “We know who’s going to win the Ballon d’Or: my mate Messi. I’m just proud to be in there.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Some may argue that Messi has not matched Haaland’s feats at club level in the last calendar year, as the Norway international won the treble with City last season and was central to their success. However, Messi achieved his crowning glory by lifting the World Cup, and was again the star in Qatar, so it is little surprise his compatriot is insisting that he will sweep aside the competition.