Wilson and Antonio say Haaland should win Ballon d'Or

Premier League strikers Callum Wilson and Michail Antonio agree that Erling Haaland should win the Ballon d'Or next Monday.

The Manchester City star is in the running for the prestigious award after his superb 2022-23 season, although Lionel Messi is expected to triumph for a record eighth time after guiding Argentina to World Cup glory last winter.

Despite the Inter Miami forward's international success, Wilson and Antonio believe Haaland is the only rightful winner.

The Norwegian ace bagged 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions last term as City achieved a historic Treble.

Newcastle No9 Wilson told The Footballer's Football Podcast: "What Haaland did last season can't be overlooked.

"If you take away international football and compare statistically — Haaland should win the award.

"You can't look past Messi winning his first World Cup, that is a big contributing factor but club football wise he's been playing in America which is very different to Haaland in the Premier League."

Antonio agreed with his counterpart, claiming a victory for anyone else other than Haaland would be a "scandal".

The West Ham forward said: "I agree with Callum. I understand Messi winning the World Cup is massive but you can't look past a Treble-winning team and what Haaland brought to that, breaking records. 

"He deserves that Ballon d'Or — if he doesn't get it, it's a scandal."

Prior to City's Premier League match against Brighton last Saturday, where Haaland scored in a 2-1 victory, Pep Guardiola claimed both his striker and Messi deserve to win the Ballon d'Or.

The Catalan boss said: "Always I said the Ballon d'Or should be in two sections, one for Messi, then after another one, so Haaland should win, yes.

"We won the Treble, he scored a million goals. The worst season for Messi is the best for the rest of the players. Both deserve it. 

"Realistically I want Haaland to have it because he helped us achieve what we achieved, I would love it. But Messi won the World Cup."