LONDON, Oct 20, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Pep Guardiola says Lionel Messi should have

his own category at the Ballon d'Or after he was asked whether the World Cup
winner or Erling Haaland should win this year's award.

Messi, who recently left Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami, is favourite to
win the award for a record-extending eighth time after leading Argentina to
World Cup glory last year.

Haaland could be his main rival for the prize after scoring 52 goals in 53
games to help Manchester City win the treble of Champions League, Premier
League and FA Cup last season.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola managed Messi at Barcelona and
currently coaches Norway forward Haaland.

"Always I said that the Ballon D'or should be in two sections, one for Messi,
and after look for the other one, so Haaland should win, yes," Guardiola said
on Friday.

"We won the treble because he scored 50 million goals but of course Messi, if
you tell me the worst season for Messi is the best for the rest of the
players.

"Both deserve it, so what can I say?"

The Ballon d'Or awards ceremony takes place in Paris on October 30.