Former Middlesbrough and Sheffield United forward Jan Åge Fjørtoft has publicly backed Erling Haaland to claim the 2026 Ballon d’Or. As France Football’s 30-man shortlist was unveiled last Tuesday, the 26-year-old Manchester City striker secured his sixth nomination for the prestigious individual award. To Fjørtoft, a former Norway international who earned 71 caps, the case for his compatriot is clear.
Fjørtoft highlighted three primary factors for why the forward should be recognized above his peers. First, he noted the striker’s success in domestic competitions, where he helped Manchester City secure both the FA Cup and the EFL Cup last season. Second, he pointed to an impressive individual tally of 58 goals across all club and international fixtures. Finally, he emphasized Haaland’s breakout performance on the global stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he acted as the catalyst for Norway’s run to the quarter-finals.
This quarter-final appearance marked Norway’s best-ever result at a World Cup and served as the nation’s first tournament qualification since 1998. Haaland personally contributed seven goals throughout the campaign. While he finished as the runner-up to Lionel Messi in 2023—narrowly missing the top spot by just over 100 votes—Fjørtoft believes the striker’s recent international impact distinguishes him this year.
Despite his strong resume, the competition remains fierce. Other top contenders identified in the race include Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembélé of PSG. Rodri remains the only player from Manchester City to have won the award, achieving the feat in 2024 before his recent move to FC Barcelona.
Haaland currently stands as the only active Manchester City player to receive a nomination for this year’s honor. Analysts suggest his path to victory faces potential obstacles, specifically Manchester City’s second-place finish behind Arsenal in the Premier League and their exit from the Champions League in the round of 16 against Real Madrid.
Reflecting on his prolific club season, the striker managed 38 goals in 52 appearances before shifting his focus to international duty. Whether these accomplishments prove sufficient to secure the golden trophy remains a subject of intense debate among football observers. The report also notes that “To me, it’s clear” – Ex-Premier League star shares 3 reasons why Erling Haaland should win 2026 Ballon d’Or. The report also notes that picking up the FA Cup and EFL Cup after a fabulous 38-goal haul in 52 games, before shining for Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup too, he enjoyed another trophy-laden spell with his club last season.
