Pep Guardiola has delivered his own opinion on who between Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.

Haaland has been nominated for the coveted prize after scoring 52 goals in Man City’s treble-winning campaign. Yet City boss Guardiola has always maintained his former Barcelona talisman, who inspired Argentina to World Cup success in 2022, is the best player he has ever coached.

Guardiola said: “I always said that the Ballon d’Or had to be of two sections – one for Messi and one for the others,” he said, adding: “Haaland should win. We won the treble because he scored 52 goals but, of course, Messi – his worst season is the best of most players. Both deserve it.

“Egotistically, I would say I want Erling because he helped us to achieve what we achieved, I would love it, but I won’t tell you it’s unfair if Leo wins. It’s nice that many players for Man City will be there for the first time in many years and challenging for these trophies. That makes us so proud of our organisation.”