Erling Haaland Calls Lionel Messi "the Best That Has Ever Played" and Suggests He Could Win Yet Another Ballon d'Or

But Haaland was asked during a press conference on Tuesday if 36-year-old Messi had to retire for him to be able to win the top individual awards.

He replied: "Good question. I don't know. I've won it all [in terms of team trophies with Manchester City] but I'm only 23, so I want to win it all again.

"Messi is the best that has ever played, maybe he has to retire for someone else to be regarded as the best."

Barcelona legend Messi is currently playing in the USA with Inter Miami after joining the Major League Soccer side from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2023.

Messi has so far scored 14 goals in 17 games for Miami - including two in last week's 5-0 win over Orlando City.

Haaland was speaking this week on the eve of City's UCL round of 16 second leg against FC Copenhagen.

He also revealed during Tuesday's press conference that Copenhagen rejected the chance to sign him in 2016 following a trial.

"Sad for them, but maybe good for me because I went to Molde and it was a good choice," he said.