The Norwegian striker, former teammate of the England international at Borussia Dortmund, gave an extensive interview to L’Equipe.
During an extensive interview with L’Equipe, Erling Haaland acknowledged on Saturday that he was happy with the great moment that Jude Bellingham showed at Real Madrid. The Norwegian striker from Manchester City coincided with the German international at Borussia Dortmund.
When asked whether he would continue with international football, Haaland replied: “I watch a lot of football on television. By the way, I watched Jude (Bellingham)’s incredible debut at Real Madrid, it made me really happy. I’m passionate about football, that’s what I’ve always liked and you I could say that it takes up all my time, whether professionally or in my life. I also like to hit the ball a little in the yard with my little sister.
It should be noted that Haaland was often linked with a possible move to Real Madrid, especially when he played in Germany, but he ultimately opted for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, with whom he won everything last season.
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About his arrival at the British club, Haaland said: “When we got here it turned out that too many things had been said at the time. It was said that it wouldn’t work at City because Guardiola liked to play without reference number 9. Well… proven otherwise and I’m happy with that. I don’t read the press much, but I don’t live in a cave either, I’ve heard these comments. My way of thinking is that I can’t decide what people will think or what they I just have to live with it and if they do, don’t worry. In the end I think I showed people that it could work and that City could play fantastic football, even with me.”
About the challenges facing the new season, he said that “it will be difficult to do better. We have achieved a historic triplet, everyone expects even more from us, everyone still wants to fight us. Last year everyone wanted beating us in the Premier League because we were the current champions of England, but this season that will be even more the case because all of Europe now wants to bring us down.”
And he added: “Everything starts from a basic point: be passionate about what you do, otherwise you won’t be able to last in the elite. That’s why I’m focused every day, and that’s good because Pep demands a lot from you. You “You cannot relax with such a demanding coach. You have a test every week because the competition tells you whether you have prepared well or not. Taking tests every week is our life and relaxation is not tolerated here. The key is to not to give priority to the matches, because everyone counts. No “We can only stop on Saturday against a team that is at the bottom of the table, because the following Wednesday we play in the Champions League against Bayern or Real Madrid.”
Regarding the fact that he did not score in either the semi-finals or the Champions League final, Haaland replied with a smile: “I would have scored something during the season, right? The example of the victory against Real Madrid (4-0), It’s maybe the best game in the history of the Citizens. That day I had the chance to score two or three goals, but Thibaut Courtois played one of the games of his life. You know, it’s not just about scoring of goals. The most important thing is that we won and played a good match. Then a final is always a special match, it was very exciting, but in the end there is no better feeling than a collective victory. Of course I would have liked that scored a hat-trick, but in the final I didn’t. “There is time for these kinds of personal considerations, you just have to win. I even cried for the first time in a long time because I had achieved my biggest dream. “
When asked if he and Mbappe are the new Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Haaland said that “that’s what everyone seems to think. But be careful, we have to point out how Messi and Cristiano have done crazy things. We also have to remember that they still do. Yes, because even when they grow up, they are of course still fantastic players. I feel privileged to have witnessed two champions as extraordinary as they are. But back to the question: I never talk about myself to other players. “It’s not my way of being. “I don’t even see things. I focus on myself, I just try to get better every day, continue to enjoy what I do and be the best version of myself.”
About his relationship with Guardiola, he confessed: “The relationship with Pep is very good. Of course he is very demanding in his work, he is very direct and honest in his speech. But that is his way of managing. In any case “To you develop and make progress, it is better to hear the whole truth in a very direct way. We can say it, sometimes it’s cruel. I appreciate it because it shows that you are fully committed and passionate. It’s not always pleasant, but at the same time it brings you face to face with the truth and I know its purpose is to make you a better player.
And speaking of the time Guardiola stopped him from scoring six goals in a match (he took him off against RB Leipzig when he had already scored five), Haaland said: “Yes, of course there was a lot of frustration. Maybe I should doing.” ‘I didn’t make it either, we don’t know. But be careful, I’m not complaining at all, because I have a lot of respect for Julián Álvarez, who replaced me and who also deserved to participate in that great match. I didn’t go to Pep’s door angrily to complain or anything. Maybe I’ll get another chance to break this record, who knows…”
Finally, he said he is confident he can win the 2023 Ballon d’Or: “I believe in myself, I really do. I know I can still make a lot of progress, I’m still young. But yes, I think I have a chance this year.”
Source: Goal