Lionel Messi sent a lovely message to Erling Haaland after winning the Ballon d’Or over the Manchester City striker on Monday evening.

Argentina’s hero was handed the eighth such accolade in one of the most spectacular athletic careers ever witnessed after leading his country to their first World Cup victory in 36 years last December.

Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for the ninth time.

Despite leaving elite European football to play for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, Messi’s impressive season in Qatar was enough to earn him an unprecedented eighth championship.

He presently holds a three-award lead over former rival Cristiano Ronaldo as some of football’s most promising young players try to shatter their legendary duopoly.

“Lionel Messi Erling Haaland Kylian Mbappe,” says Ben Jacobs on X. Haaland finished second, ahead of Mbappe. Kevin De Bruyne came in fourth place.X https://t.co/26ljxX86cM”

As Jude Bellingham lifted the coveted Kopa Trophy, Haaland finished second in the rankings, slightly ahead of Kylian Mbappe in third.

Messi and Ronaldo’s eras appear to be coming to a close, and the 36-year-old has backed Haaland in particular to win the trophy one day.

“Haaland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or one day,” he went on to say.

“Erling deserved it as well; he has won the Premier League and the Champions League while being the top scorer in every competition.” This honor could have been yours as well today.

“I’m sure in the next years you will win it”

“Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland”

Erling Haaland did not go home empty-handed in Paris, however, as the Manchester City and Norway striker won the Gerd Muller Trophy after scoring 56 goals in 57 games last season.

Erling Haaland is the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner of the Gerd Muller Trophy – Goal.com

Erling Haaland is the 2023 winner of the Gerd Müller Award.

At the Ballon d’Or presentation, Haaland was joined on stage by his Manchester City colleagues and members of the Etihad club’s hierarchy to accept the club’s second consecutive Club of the Year accolade.

Ederson came close to winning his first Yachine Trophy as well, placing second to Argentina’s and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.