Norway manager Stale Solbakken has picked Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or over his countryman, Erling Haaland.

Stale Solbakken has picked Argentine superstar and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or for the eight time over his fellow country player Erling Haaland because of World Cup victory.

Man City striker Haaland owing to a monstrous season last term, which saw him net 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions for the club has been nominated alongside Messi and others in the just released Ballon d’or shortlist.

Although Haaland’s impressive performance last season has made him a strong contender for the most prestigious award in the world of football, the Norwegian manager still ditched him for Lionel Messi.

Stale Solbakken believes that the significance of the World Cup supersedes any other trophy and winning it put such player in the frontline of possible winners.

He said: “It will most likely be between Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland. Then there are the outsiders just below them.

“If you ask me who I think will win, I would say Messi will win it because of the World Cup triumph. That always has an impact.”