The departure of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the greatest footballers of the 21st century, to new clubs in the United States and Saudi Arabia, respectively, is being compared to the lyrics of a song by Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, which goes, “Today, two souls have taken different paths.”
Messi has joined the Inter Miami club in the United States, while Ronaldo has joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Their decision to choose new destinations after dominating European football for over a decade has sparked intense rivalry among football fans. Many believe that the baton of European football dominance is now being passed on to two other young talents, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
However, Haaland does not see himself in the same category as Messi and Ronaldo just yet. The Norwegian striker, who currently plays for Manchester City, believes that there is still much more to achieve before he can be compared to the two football legends. He sees Messi and Ronaldo as exceptional players who have changed the course of football in both Europe and South America.
Haaland’s time at Manchester City has been remarkable, breaking records with almost every goal and contributing significantly to the team’s quest for a treble. While Messi led Argentina to victory in the Copa America, Haaland’s ambition to surpass Messi and Ronaldo is clear. The verdict on the best footballer of the year will be announced on October 30th.
In an interview with the French football magazine “France Football,” Haaland discussed the enduring rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo and his own ambitions. He acknowledged the greatness of Messi and Ronaldo and emphasized the need to remember their incredible achievements even at their age. He said, “They are still extraordinary players.”
Regarding comparisons with Mbappé and himself, Haaland stated, “I don’t compare myself with others. I don’t look at it that way. I give all my attention every day to improving a little more. I want to be the best version of myself.”
As for his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year, Haaland remained modest, stating that he does not consider himself the best and urged caution in discussing such matters, as advised by his media manager.
