Police say a 36-year-old Argentinian man is helping them with their enquiries after reports of a robbery ahead of the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards.
Authorities say a man matching the description of the individual in custody is wanted in connection with the theft of a prestigious golden ball.
23-year-old Erling Haaland told police the ball was stolen from him by a ‘short, Spanish-speaking man who scored 26 goals in two farmer’s leagues’.
The incident is alleged to have happened outside the Théâtre du Châtelet in what police are describing as a case of ‘daylight robbery’.
Sources claim the same man was also accused of robbery in 2021 when a 33-year-old Polish man reported his golden ball as stolen.
‘We received a report this morning from a Norwegian man living in the Greater Manchester area that his European Footballer of the Year award had been stolen’, a police spokesperson told Paddy Power News.
‘After reviewing a lot of video evidence on YouTube, we were able to verify that Mr Erling Haaland is the rightful owner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award’.
‘Subsequently, an international manhunt was launched to track down the individual we believed to be responsible for the robbery’.
‘Around 3pm BST today, police arrested a man in Miami in connection with the theft of the 2021 and 2023 Ballon d’Or awards. He is currently helping the police with their enquiries.
There were emotional scenes when Haaland was reunited with his award this afternoon.
NEW TO PADDY POWER? PLACE A £5 BET ON SPORTS GET £20 IN FREE BETS!
‘My precious’, said Haaland with a maniacal look in eyes while caressing the golden ball.
In related news, French news magazine France Football have confirmed they are changing the name of the Ballon d’Or award ahead of next year’s ceremony in Paris.
‘We feel the Lionel Messi Invitational has a better ring to it’, said one journalist wearing an Inter Miami jersey.
*Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is 100% nonsense, but you knew that already… didn’t you?
More football from Paddy Power News
- Exclusive: Phil Mitchell set for Man United sporting director role after Ratcliffe deal
- Grealish admits buying new headband tops Man City treble success
- Wayne Rooney spotted licking giant lollipop in Birmingham
- Exclusive: De Gea reveals apology text from Ten Hag after Onana blunder
- Shoot on over to Paddy Power News for the best Football Betting Tips & News
PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
