Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has said Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Argentine star Lionel Messi are favourites for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
Osimhen was nominated alongside 29 othersAMP for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, which will be presented on 30 October in Paris.
Speaking with Napolimagazine, Osimhen said both Haaland and Messi deserve the award, given their exploits in the year under review.
Messi inspired Argentina to World Cup glory, while Haaland helped Manchester City to a historic Treble, which included a first-ever Champions League title.
“For me, I think the two people to win it are Haaland and Messi,’ Osimhen, who finished as Serie A’s highest goalscorer as his side Napoli won the league title after 33 years. “They are both deserve it. They had an amazing season. Messi won the World Cup and Haaland won the Treble.
“But I don’t really know the criteria in winning the Ballon d’Or. But anyone who wins really deserves it.”
For Osimhen, winning the Ballon d’Or will be “more than a dream come true,” however the 24-year-old Nigerian has his sights set on creating a long-lasting legacy in the sport.
“I honestly cannot lie – if one day I will able to get closer to win it or even win it, it will be an amazing feeling, more than a dream come true. If it comes, it comes, if not, I will keep on working hard so I can look back and be proud of all I have done.”