Former Tottenham Hotspur and Russia forward Roman Pavlyuchenko revealed his Ballon d’Or voting intention, stating that he would cast his ballot for Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. His comments came as he discussed the ongoing race for football’s most prestigious individual prize, highlighting Haaland’s consistency, scoring feats, and impact with City that helped them secure a treble. Pavlyuchenko noted that while Lionel Messi has long been a dominant figure, his form dimmed a bit as the two-time Ballon d’Or winner edges closer to the twilight of his career. He added that Kylian Mbappe may face hurdles, yet Haaland’s achievements still deserve the top honor. These views were reported in relation to France Football’s coverage surrounding the ceremony and its expectations for the award year.
According to France Football, the Ballon d’Or ceremony was scheduled to take place on October 30, 2023. Haaland’s triumph for Manchester City in the previous season was based on a remarkable goal-scoring run, as he appeared in 52 matches across all competitions and found the back of the net 52 times, while also contributing nine assists. This marked Haaland’s first season in English football, specifically within the Premier League, underscoring the immediate and substantial impact he made upon joining the league from his previous club.
Lionel Messi’s international success with Argentina was achieved in December 2022, when the team clinched the world championship. The forward’s club career continued into 2023 with a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami, with Messi tallying 11 goals and five assists across 14 appearances for his new club during that period.
Earlier reflections also referenced Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the Ballon d’Or voting trajectory, indicating ongoing discussion about how different players were positioned in the broader awards conversation. Pavlyuchenko’s preference for Haaland adds another layer to the public and media debate about who should lift the prize this season, given Haaland’s statistics and his role in Manchester City’s successes.