Lionel Messi might have earned his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy on Monday night, but both Erling Haaland and Manchester City were still big winners at this year’s awards ceremony, with the Blues winning Men’s Club of the Year and the Norwegian notched another personal accolade as well.
Not only were Man City handed the Men’s Club of the Year for the second season in a row at the 2023 Ballon d’Ors, but despite just missing out on the award for the best footballer in the world over the past year to World Cup winner Messi (well, obviously), their star striker didn’t go home empty-handed.
After his groundbreaking debut season in the Premier League, during which he broke seemingly every record under the sun, Haaland won the 2023 Gerd Muller Trophy — recognising the best goalscorer for club and country across a season — for his incredible 52 goals in all competitions.
Here’s the moment he added yet another piece of silverware to a trophy cabinet that it’s safe to say is already rapidly running out of room:
The 23-year-old has already won more trophies than most will ever manage in their entire career.
As for the Men’s Club of the Year award, it came as little surprise given their historic treble-winning season which saw them also break several records in the process.
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Joined on stage by goalkeeper Ederson, Champions League final goalscorer Rodri, defender Ruben Dias, midfielder maestro Bernardo Silva and emerging marksman Julian Alvarez — all of whom were included in this year’s list of nominees — City’s CEO Ferran Soriano accepted the award on behalf of the team.
Even in the categories in which they didn’t win, City’s excellence last season was recognised in the shortlisting, with both Haaland and Ederson just missing out on the Ballon d’Or and Yashin Trophies behind Messi and teammate Emiliano Martinez, respectively, and five players making into the top 10.
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This ceremony also comes just months after Pep Guardiola‘s ever-impressive side cleaned up at last season’s PFA Awards, with Haaland unsurprisingly winning Player’s Player of the Year and the City squad also dominating the 2022/23 Team of the Year.
With a Manchester derby win also still fresh under their belt, it’s obviously still a very good time to be a Blue and while this season might not have started flawlessly, you still wouldn’t bet against them lifting a sixth Premier League trophy under the Catalan coach.
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City face Bournemouth at home on Saturday, 4 November before their next Champions League game against Young Boys next Tuesday.
Featured Image — Manchester City/Ballon d’Or (via Twitter)
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Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
31st October 2023 
