Erling Haaland is shortlisted for BBC World Sport Star of the Year award after scoring 52 goals in Treble-winning season... but Man City goal machine faces competition from Max Verstappen and Novak Djokovic

11 months ago 51

Erling Haaland won the treble in his first season with Manchester City
Max Verstappen, Novak Djokovic and Aitana Bonmati also shortlisted
CHRIS SUTTON: I would have been angry like Erling Haaland, but why did it need six or seven City players going at the referee? It's All Kicking Off

By David Coverdale For Mailonline

Published: 08:00 GMT, 5 December 2023 | Updated: 08:46 GMT, 5 December 2023

Erling Haaland has been announced as one of six contenders for the BBC World Sport Star of the Year award.

The Treble-winning Manchester City striker will be up against fellow footballer Aitana Bonmati, who lifted the Women's World Cup with Spain and the Champions League with Barcelona.

Three-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen and South Africa's Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi have also been nominated.

Novak Djokovic, who scooped three of the four tennis majors this year, and gymnast Simone Biles, who claimed four gold medals at the World Championships, make up the rest of the six-person shortlist.

The winner will be chosen by a public vote on the BBC Sport website and will be revealed at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show on December 19.

Erling Haaland has been announced as one of six contenders for the BBC World Sport Star of the Year award after a stellar debut season with Manchester City

Haaland is joined on the shortlist by (left to right) Simone Biles, Max Verstappen, Siya Kolisi, Alana Bonmati and Novak Djokovic

If Haaland were to add the award to his ever-growing list of honours, he would emulate Lionel Messi, who landed the gong last year after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.

The only other footballers to be crowned BBC World Sport Star of the Year (formerly BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year) are Eusebio (1966), Pele (1970), Ronaldo (2002) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2014).

Haaland, who scored 52 goals in all competitions last season, will not be available to attend the show in Salford as City are in action that night at the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The shortlist for the main BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is yet to be announced.

But England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps is the current bookies' favourite to land the same gong her international team-mate Beth Mead won last year.

England Ashes hero Stuart Broad is the second favourite ahead of world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award is between snowboarder Mia Brookes, Penny Healey from archery and wheelchair basketball player Charlie McIntyre.

Haaland scored 52 goals in all competitions last season as Manchester City won the Treble