In terms of statistics and that of the prize list, it is difficult to match the 2022/2023 version of Erling Haaland. Author of 52 goals with Manchester City last season, the Norwegian striker largely contributed to the Cup-Champions League-Championship treble achieved by the Sky Blues. Winning the C1 even moved him to tears for the first time “in a very long time”. This CV automatically places him on the list of candidates for the Ballon d’Or, notably alongside Lionel Messi, winner of the World Cup with Argentina last December.
France Football asked him about his hopes of winning the ultimate individual reward this year. “I believe in myself, I really do,” he replied. I know I can still improve a lot, I’m still young. But yes, I think I have a chance this year. » Does he already consider himself, at 23, to be the best striker in the world? “In my head… It depends on what you mean by attacking again… It’s a trick question… I’m up there. Am I the best? Maybe. I know that Enrica (Tarchi, his media relations officer, present during the interview) wants me to be careful in my answer. »
Cautious, he was when it came to discussing the performances of Kylian Mbappé. After the rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, modern football seems to have found its two future headliners: the Norwegian and the Bondynois. “That’s what everyone seems to think,” Haaland said of the advent of a new era. But be careful, we must emphasize to what extent Messi and Cristiano have done crazy things. » He did not wish to talk about himself “against other players”, although he confirms watching the performances of the other attackers.
Like Mbappé, the ex-Dortmund player in any case shares a pronounced taste for records. Against Leipzig, in the round of 16 of the Champions League last season, Pep Guardiola took him out when he had already scored a quintuple and could hope to beat Messi’s record. “There was a lot of frustration, of course. Maybe I wouldn’t have succeeded either, we don’t know. But be careful, I’m not complaining at all, he smiled, showing his respect for his replacement, Julian Alvarez. So, no, I didn’t go and knock on Pep’s door angry to complain or whatever. Maybe I’ll have another chance to break this record, who knows? »
