I provided chatGPT4 with all the statistics, trophies, and individual accolades for Lionel Messi and Erling Harland over the past season. I then asked it to give its opinion on who should win the 2023 Ballon d’Or. What follows is its exact response before I make my decision on who should win the 2023 Ballon d’Or. Let’s take a deep dive into the performances of both Lionel Messi and Erling Harland over the past season.
First up, we have Lionel Messi. He had a monumental year, scoring 21 goals and providing 20 assists in 41 games for PSG. His World Cup performance, with seven goals and three assists, and winning the World Cup Golden Ball as Argentina won against France, set him apart this year. Let’s not forget he also won the FIFA Best Men’s Player and other awards. His World Cup glory winning a World Cup is the pinnacle of international football, and Messi not only won it but dominated the tournament. This puts enormous weight in his favor. His 20 assists for PSG showcase his play-making abilities, making him a well-rounded player. However, his post-World Cup dip somewhat affected his form, especially in the Champions League where PSG was eliminated in the round of 16.
On the other side, we have Erling Harland. He scored 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City, which is absolutely mind-blowing. He won the treble - Premier League, FA Cup, and the Champions League. He also received individual accolades like PFA Player of the Year and Premier League’s Player of the Season. His consistency throughout the season showcases his crucial role in an already strong Manchester City team. However, his absence from the World Cup slightly dims his shine. Despite the Champions League win, he didn’t shine in the semi-finals and finals.
So, who deserves the 2023 Ballon d’Or? It’s a tough call. Erling Harland has shown incredible consistency and was a goal-scoring machine for Manchester City, not to mention his role in securing a treble. However, his absence from the World Cup and subdued performances in the crunch stages of the Champions League do count against him. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, had a season of two halves. His post-World Cup performance at PSG wasn’t as electrifying as we’ve come to expect from him. However, his World Cup showing was nothing short of legendary, lifting Argentina to a win against France and earning multiple individual accolades in the process. Given the iconic status of the World Cup in football and how it can define a player’s legacy, it holds significant weight in this debate. Messi’s individual brilliance during the most prestigious tournament in football tips the scale in his favor for me. Despite a lackluster second half of the season at PSG, I would give the 2023 Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi. While Harland’s season was sensational, the World Cup has a historical and emotional gravity that simply can’t be ignored. Messi’s achievements on that global stage under immense pressure warrant football’s highest individual honor this year.
So, that was it. I was a little surprised by the choice. I wasn’t expecting chatGPT to put Messi’s World Cup victory above Holland’s accomplishments. I can’t say I disagree, though. But what do you guys think? Please do not forget to leave a like and subscribe to my channel. Until next time.
