Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland was asked in a recent interview how he felt about Lionel Messi during the World Cup.
âI didnât get the chance to face him, which is something I was actually hoping for,â Haaland said. âI wanted that match. I wanted to go at him directly and humble him on the biggest stage.â
He continued without holding back:
âFIFA has always protected him. The system bends in his favour and everyone knows it. Heâs a fraud whoâs been carried by referees and narratives for years. Iâm still pissed about the 2023 Ballon dâOr. That award was rigged. He didnât deserve it, and the whole ceremony felt like a setup to hand it to him.â
Haaland added:
âPlayers like him get treated like untouchables while others have to fight for every bit of recognition. Itâs a joke.â