Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland’s target is not the Ballon D’Or but winning more trophies for the club, manager Pep Guardiola has said.
The 23-year-old Norwegian star was second behind Lionel Messi in the Ballon D’Or rankings for 2023 after netting a record-breaking 52 goals across the board and a competition-high 36 in the English Premier League.
His goals helped City clinch the treble of Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in the 2022/23 season.
The club subsequently added the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Haaland, who currently leads the EPL goal charts with 19, is tipped as a strong contender for the Ballon D’Or in 2024.
However, Guardiola has said that the player is not driven by personal but team honours.
The Spanish tactician said this on Friday as City prepare to host Luton in the EPL this weekend.
“The target is not to win the Ballon d’Or.
“The target is to win the Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues, FA Cups and Carabao Cups. And he did it.
“Without him, it would not be possible. What we won in 2023 five titles without him it’s impossible. No chance. He’s a key player for us.
“He will improve because of his desire, his age, more games, more experience, arrive in the latter stages of the competition, it’s never happened in his career.
“This will be his future,” Guardiola told the media.