During this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Erling Haaland found himself at the center of an uncomfortable encounter. The Manchester City icon, who was nominated for the coveted accolade, lost out to the greatest Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi. However, there was an offbeat incident involving a TikTok influencer and Haaland that drew attention.
Haaland’s disappointment with the Ballon d’Or snub was accountable, given that he had an amazing season with Manchester City. It was clear that he had set his sights on the Golden Ball. Still, astoundingly it was not his loss to Messi that grabbed the attention of fans. Let’s uncover the details behind the offbeat interaction that Haaland had at the event.
An uncomfortable encounter for Erling Haaland
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Amid the star studded Ballon d’Or ceremony, one unexpected event unfolded. A famous French TikTok star, known for his antics, decided to approach Erling Haaland. Without seeking proper consent from the star-striker, the influencer suddenly placed his phone in front of Haaland’s face, capturing the moment with a live video. Erling Haaland, clearly taken aback by this intrusion, responded with anger, “What are you doing, man?” It was a moment that left both Haaland and the audience wondering about the motivations behind this surprising move.
Erling Haaland is not a fan of this French TikTok star:
"What are you doing?" pic.twitter.com/cznmOEoMfP
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 31, 2023
While this incident was inoffensive, it raises questions about the boundaries of privacy and personal space for sports stars, especially at such high-profile events. It also showcases the challenges of famous soccer stars like Erling Haaland, and how they deal with unexpected and intrusive fan encounters.
Though the Norwegian striker didn’t receive the prestigious and prime accolade awarded by French Football, he did receive the Gerd Muller trophy, signifying his status as one of the top performers in the world. Even Lionel Messi hailed Haaland’s achievements in the past season.
Lionel Messi’s praise for Haaland
As the dust settled on the Ballon d’Or ceremony and Lionel Messi celebrated his remarkable 8th triumph, the Argentine legend took a moment to acknowledge his competitors, including Erling Haaland. In his acceptance speech, Messi stated, “Erling deserved it very much too. He has won the Premier League and the Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too. I’m sure in the next years you will win it.”
Messi’s encouraging words underlined the belief that the Manchester City striker is destined for greatness. While the Norwegian may not have clinched the Ballon d’Or this time, his eventful evening at the awards ceremony serves as a reminder of the unpredictability these stars face in the limelight.
The incident with the TikTok star may have momentarily unsettled Haaland, but his future remains bright, and the fans eagerly await his next move on and off the pitch.
WATCH THIS STORY: LeBron James, James Harden, Trae Young, and Other NBA Stars Give Lionel Messi His Flowers After Argentina’s FIFA World Cup Win
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