Spanish football journalist Miguel Quintana has made a claim about Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s Ballon d’Or chance, explained that he may need to leave the Etihad Stadium if he truly wants to win the award.
Despite his extraordinary record in front of goal, the Norwegian’s dominance in the Premier League and Europe has not translated into individual glory on football’s biggest personal stage.
A Relentless Goalscorer Without Ballon d’Or Recognition
Haaland, now 25, has been in phenomenal form this season, scoring 12 goals across all competitions as Manchester City continue their bid for a fifth Premier League title in six years.
After a slow start to the 2025–26 campaign with early defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, Pep Guardiola’s side have bounced back in style — with Haaland once again leading the charge.
Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, the striker has redefined the art of finishing. His debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium produced a record-breaking 52 goals in all competitions and ended with City claiming a historic treble — winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League increased Erling Haaland’s Ballon d’Or chance. Many expected him to walk away with the award in 2023 after such an astonishing season.
However, the prize went to Lionel Messi, who inspired Argentina to their World Cup triumph in Qatar the previous year. That decision, though widely celebrated, left many questioning what more Haaland could do to claim football’s most prestigious individual honour.
The Norwegian’s consistent brilliance in front of goal has done little to change that narrative. He continues to average nearly a goal per game, yet his influence on Manchester City’s success seems to have been overshadowed by Guardiola’s system — a system that some critics say limits his full creative expression.
According to Spanish journalist Miguel Quintana, that very system could be the obstacle preventing Haaland from achieving Ballon d’Or glory. Speaking to Marca, as reported by Sport Witness, Quintana argued that Haaland’s style of play under Guardiola has made him look less versatile and less impactful in decisive moments.
“Haaland has lost his cachet at Manchester City,” Quintana said. “City won the Champions League (in 2023) and Haaland didn’t win the Ballon d’Or. The following year, a City player (Rodri) did win it, but it wasn’t him.
“City’s style has reduced him to a specialist, more in the box than anything else. It’s the simplest and least self-sufficient version. He still scores a goal per game wherever he plays, but I think because of all this, we feel Haaland isn’t as good as we thought.”
The journalist added that Haaland’s performances in crucial fixtures, particularly in the Champions League knockout stages, have not been decisive enough to sway global opinion in his favour.
“In the Champions League, he hasn’t made a difference in the most important matches, especially in the knockout stages against Real Madrid,” he said.
Why Leaving City Could Boost Haaland’s Chances
While Haaland’s partnership with Guardiola has delivered silverware and shattered records, Quintana believes a move away from Manchester City — or a breakthrough with Norway — could reignite his global appeal.
The journalist suggested that the national team might offer Haaland an avenue to gain the recognition he hasn’t fully achieved in Manchester.
“Norway, rather than being a problem, could be an opportunity for Haaland,” Quintana explained. “Norway can be an opportunity because a good performance with the national team can give him the cachet and prestige he can’t fully achieve at Manchester City right now.”
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Norway is edging closer to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a tournament that could serve as Haaland’s chance to showcase his dominance on the international stage.
For a player who has conquered domestic football, a strong showing at the World Cup might offer the narrative and visibility often required to secure the Ballon d’Or.
Quintana went further to rank the Manchester City star behind several other world-class players in terms of current perception.
“He’s behind (Kylian) Mbappé, now also Lamine Yamal, perhaps Harry Kane, and it remains to be seen if he’s even behind midfielders like Pedri,” he stated.
Such remarks underline the growing sentiment that Erling Haaland’s Ballon d’Or chance because his game — despite its devastating efficiency — lacks the creative flair and versatility often celebrated in the prestigious award winners.
The Ballon d’Or, historically, has tended to favour players with more influence beyond pure goalscoring — such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime, or Luka Modrić’s leadership in midfield.
Still, Haaland’s commitment to Manchester City appears unwavering. Earlier this year, he signed a new 10-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2034. The deal reportedly makes him the highest-paid player in Premier League history — a reflection of his unmatched value to the club and Guardiola’s system.
The question now, however, is whether that loyalty will come at the cost of personal accolades. Guardiola’s philosophy, heavily based on positional play and collective precision, prioritises team achievement over individual brilliance.
While Haaland remains the spearhead of that system, his opportunities to shine in a free-flowing, self-expressive role may remain limited.
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Nonetheless, few would dispute that the Norwegian has already established himself as one of football’s most feared strikers. His record speaks volumes — from his days at Borussia Dortmund to his unprecedented impact in English football.
Yet, as Quintana’s comments suggest, numbers alone may not be enough to convince voters when it comes to the Ballon d’Or.
