If you really think anyone other than Messi deserved it this year, you’re delusional. He literally led his country won a World Cup at the age of 35, on a subpar, not favourite by any means team. Every single game he stepped up when his team depended on him and he won those games along with other heroes in some games.

In club level he was brilliant as well. Won the league while being the europe’s top assister, dribbler and some other stats.

What did Haaland do? Scored bunch of easy tap ins and penalties in a horribly strong team that is dedicated on feeding him. All the while, ghosting in all crucial, tough games and doing nothing with the national team because they were nowhere near how good city is.

Just some stats and mathematics does not justify who was better… There are way too many more factors than just goals and assists.