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Guardiola: 'Haaland's goal is not the Golden Ball' COACH Pep Guardiola defended Erling Haaland, saying that the motivation to win a collective title is the most important thing in football, not individual performance. In Real's 3-3 draw in the Champions League in midweek, Haaland only shot once and had nine passes. After the match, famous English player Jamie Carragher said that the Man City striker must play more comprehensively, especially when considered a candidate for individual awards such as the Golden Ball. However, in the press conference on April 12 - before the match against Luton Town in round 33 of the Premier League - coach Guardiola said: "The player's goal is not to win the Golden Ball. The goal is to win the Premier League." , FA Cup and League Cup. And Haaland did that." Man City coach Pep Guardiola talks with Erling Haaland during the match between Man City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium in Manchester on January 31, 2024. Last season, Haaland made a strong impression with 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions, helping Man City win three titles: Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup. After that, the Manchester club also won the European Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to complete a historic treble in 2023. In the Premier League alone, Haaland scored 36 goals and broke the record for scoring the most goals in a season held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole (both 34 goals). In the Champions League, the Norwegian striker also won top scorer with 12 goals, including a record of five goals in the 7-0 win over RB Leipzig in the second leg of the 1/8 round at Etihad Stadium. However, he only finished second behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Ball race - the highest individual title in world football awarded annually by France Football magazine. Guardiola further commented: "Without Haaland, Man City cannot win five titles in 2023. There is no chance. Haaland is an important player for us."