Why isn’t Erling Haaland at the Best FIFA Football Awards? Who will collect the prize if he wins?

First it was Lionel Messi, now it’s Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker is seen by many as the favourite to be named the Best Men’s Player at the 2023 Best FIFA Football Award ceremony in London on Monday, but the Manchester City striker won’t pick up the prize himself should be win for the first time.

Why isn’t Messi at the Best FIFA Football Awards?

It was revealed that two-time winner Messi, the current holder of the award, wouldn’t be flying across the Atlantic for the gala in London as he prioritised training with MLS club Inter Miami, who have just begun pre-season and will play their first warm-up game against the El Salvador national team in San Salvador on Friday (19 January).

Italy and UAE for City striker Haaland... but not London

Now it has emerged that Haaland, who hasn’t played for Manchester City in recent weeks due to injury, would also be skipping the ceremony. No official reason has yet been giving for his absence, although the 23-year-old’s Instagram account revealed that he had been in Italy at the weekend, while City will jet off to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for some warm weather training, which the Norwegian is expected to be involved in.

Who is Alf Inge Haaland?

Messi and Haaland will battle it out with Kylian Mbappé for the top men’s prize and should the former Borussia Dortmund striker come out on top, it will be his father who collects the award on his behalf. Alf Inge Haaland also played for Manchester City and Norway, as well as Nottingham Forest and Leeds United in the Premier League, without getting close to his son’s superstardom.

Follow The Best FIFA Football Awards on AS USA.