{
  "id": 7714216,
  "title": "Ballon d’Or: ‘It’s clear’ – Jan Åge Fjørtoft names player who should win 2026 award",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ballon-dor-its-clear-jan-age-fj-rtoft-names-player-who-should-win",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T05:39:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/16/ballon-dor-its-clear-jan-age-fjortoft-names-player-who-should-win-2026-award/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Middlesbrough and Frankfurt player Jan Åge Fjørtoft has declared Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as the ideal recipient for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. According to Åge Fjørtoft, it is evident that Haaland deserves the prestigious award due to his notable achievements last season with Manchester City, Norway's quarter-final appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and his remarkable goal-scoring record. Haaland secured two major trophies in England during the previous campaign, netted 58 goals overall, and emerged as a global sensation following Norway's quarter-final run at the World Cup. Speaking on X on Tuesday, Åge Fjørtoft stated, \"You’ll say I’m biased because I’m Norwegian too. But to me, it’s clear: Erling Haaland should win the Ballon d’Or.\" Haaland narrowly missed out on the 2023 Ballon d’Or, finishing as the runner-up to Lionel Messi.",
  "summary": "Former Middlesbrough and Frankfurt forward, Jan Åge Fjørtoft, has named Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland as the player who should win the Ballon d’Or. According to Åge Fjørtoft, it’s clear that Haaland should win the Ballon d’Or because he won trophies with Man City last season, helped Norway to reach the quarter-final stage at the […] Ballon d’Or: ‘It’s clear’ – Jan Åge Fjørtoft names…",
  "key_points": [
    "Jan Åge Fjørtoft names Erling Haaland as 2026 Ballon d’Or winner.",
    "Haaland scored 58 goals and helped Norway to quarter-final in World Cup.",
    "Fjørtoft admits bias as Norwegian fan, but firmly believes Haaland deserves award."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Jan Åge Fjørtoft's endorsement cements Erling Haaland's status as a leading contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, highlighting his impressive goal-scoring record and recent achievements with Manchester City and Norway.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}