Erling Haaland reveals what he learned from Cristiano Ronaldo

Erling Haaland is probably the coolest enforcer in world football. The Norwegian revealed that he picked up a trait from Cristiano Ronaldo to perfect his goal-scoring skills.

The 23-year-old recently finished runner-up to Lionel Messi in the 2023 Ballon d’Or voting – the reward for a record-breaking debut season with Manchester City in which he scored 52 goals in all competitions and won the historic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League won.

In the 2023/24 season, Haaland continues to do exactly what he does best with 17 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions: snap, snap, snap. It is rumored that his irrepressible hunger for goals has once again brought him to the attention of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

It remains to be seen whether the Norwegian will eventually leave the Premier League. But there is no doubt that Haaland has what it takes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, who he says he admired when he was learning his craft as a striker.

Ronaldo played at the highest level for almost 20 years for Manchester United, Juventus and Real. The 38-year-old is the record goalscorer in international men’s football and the most successful goalscorer in Champions League history.

Haaland said opposite TV2that Ronaldo had impressed him very much – especially with his work off the ball.

“I remember always paying attention to his movements in the penalty area YouTube “He made two or three movements before attacking the space he wanted to be in,” said Haaland. “In this situation it’s a kind of duel with the central defenders. It’s important to get the timing right.”

“The way Cristiano moves and how he managed to develop his game… You remember how he played at Manchester United and in the first years at Real Madrid, then became more of a striker at Real Madrid .”

“It’s unbelievable for him that he can do that. But also the way he scores the goals. It’s the little movements in the penalty area and the ability to deceive the defenders.”

Haaland has perfected exactly these movements in his young career, which is why it is almost impossible to defend him in the penalty area.