“[Erling] Haaland Should’ve Won It” – Micah Richards Doubles Down on Manchester City Star’s Claim to Win FIFA The Best Over Lionel Messi

It’s not just the fans, but even experts are surprised by FIFA ‘The Best’ results. Lionel Messi was awarded Best Player for 2023 by the regulating organization despite failing to reach the MLS playoffs with Inter Miami. Ex-Manchester City player Micah Richards opened up, and was absolutely certain that the goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland should have won it!

Earlier, even Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that FIFA and the Ballon d’Or were losing their credibility. CR7, clarifying that his opinion had nothing to do with Messi, said the numbers are always available for consideration. Hence, even Micah Richards was left baffled by the results.

Richards wanted Erling Haaland, who played an ‘instrumental’ role, to have won FIFA The Best Award!

Micah Richards, who earlier backed Erling Haaland for the Ballon d’Or, is totally disappointed with the subsequent setback. In a recent episode of The Rest is Football podcast, he stated, “If it is from January to January, let’s be honest, I was right if it was because obviously the World Cup was in December, wasn’t it? Of course, Haaland should have won it. Of course, he should.” The winners of FIFA ‘The Best’ were decided by the votes of all the captains and coaches who majorly voted for the Argentine.

The Norwegian’s impact has been game-changing for Manchester City, leading them to a treble with 52 goals in the 2022–23 season. Erling Haaland’s record saw him reach 50 despite missing most of the games in December, due to an ankle injury. Erling Haaland remains the EPL’s highest scorer for this season. However, it was the treble, including the first UCL title for Manchester City, that Richards further emphasized.

He said, “We’ve already said that Messi is the greatest to ever do it, no hate coming in from any of us lot ever. But we’re talking about a team that’s won the treble and someone who’s just been instrumental in that. Of course, it should have been Haaland!” Pep Guardiola and Co. became only the 2nd team after Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 Manchester United to pull it off in English soccer.

Earlier, for the Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi was chosen over Erling Haaland. But that period included the FIFA World Cup, which gave the Argentine an advantage. However, The Best Award was widely considered to be unfair in its judging criteria.

READ MORE – Fabio Capello: Robert Lewandowski is “Failing” Xavi at FC Barcelona

Aside from the reasonable tenure and PSG, he also wasn’t able to guide Inter Miami to a playoff finish and prematurely finished his season out of Europe with a single trophy in hand. In fact, he missed a few ending games because of a scar tissue injury.

Hence, Micah Richards has taken such an objection to Erling Haaland not winning the award. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

WATCH THIS STORY: Max Verstappen joins Lionel Messi in creating special historic feat