A few days ago, the 2023 Ballon d’Or nominee list was revealed! Since then, the whole soccer universe has been talking about ‘the potential winner’. While everyone has their favorites, a compatriot of Lionel Messi, Emi Martinez chimed in with his prediction as well. The World Cup-winning goalie ditched Erling Haaland in favor of the Inter Miami star, which was not completely unexpected!

Meanwhile, Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t made the cut for the first time in 20 years. On the other hand, Messi managed to equal one of David Beckham’s nine-year-old records. Another achievement of the Argentine!

Emi Martinez favors Lionel Messi ahead of Erling Haaland for Ballon d’Or

Among the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe, the Aston Villa and Argentine national team goalkeeper, Emi Martinez, has remarkably made the cut in the Ballon d’Or nominee list. After a 3-1 win at Villa Park against Crystal Palace, the goalkeeper was pulled aside for a post-match interview.

Towards the end, the journalist asked Martinez about his thoughts after getting nominated for the Ballon d’Or and potentially winning it. To which, Emi replied, “You know these individual awards, we know who’s gonna win the Ballon d’Or, my mate Messi. So, I’m too proud to be in there to be fair.” While insisting he’s proud to make it to the list of elite nominees, the 31-year-old humbly doesn’t see himself as a potential winner.

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Instead, the goalkeeper has backed his Argentina skipper Lionel Messi. Certainly, hearing Dubi’s words must have likely brought a smile to Messi’s face. Additionally, Emi Martinez was bold enough to ditch his Premier League rival Erling Haaland, who is touted among the favorites to win the award. However, for the World Cup-winning goalie, Messi should be the winner of the individual award.

Notably, if Martinez’s words come true, Messi will be lifting his 8th Ballon d’Or. But will he be denied by Manchester City ace Erling Haaland?

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Can Erling Haaland deny La Pulga his 8th Ballon d’Or?

It will be a historic achievement for Lionel Messi if he manages to secure another Ballon d’Or. As the legendary Johan Cruyff once said, “Messi will probably retire with five, six, or seven Ballon d’Ors. He’s in a league of his own.” While Cruyff’s prediction about the number seven came true, the question now is whether the World Cup winner can clinch a remarkable number eight.

However, claiming another Ballon d’Or won’t be a straightforward task. Ahead of him is a healthy competitor, Erling Haaland, who is also in a league of his own. At just 22 years old, he has already matched Messi’s 14-year-old record. Perhaps Haaland could be a contender to snatch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s potential eighth trophy. As of now, only time will reveal who will ultimately win the award.

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