Erling Haaland has, according to Josko Gvardiol, already mastered the Lionel Messi-esque art of looking uninterested before then scoring a hat-trick.
The prolific Norwegian striker is now one of the most fearsome frontmen in world football, with 52 goals recorded last season when helping Manchester City to a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble. He may not always be heavily involved in the game, with plenty made of the lack of touches that he often takes in, but the 23-year-old can always be relied upon to hit the back of the net.
City colleague Gvardiol has said of Haaland, having been on the receiving end of a five-goal showing from the deadly forward while still on the books of RB Leipzig in 2022-23: “I would like to forget about it! I’m happy to be his team-mate. It wasn’t just about Haaland, it was the first XI on the pitch, it was a hard game. As a centre-back I was looking forward to facing Haaland but it didn’t finish good. He scored five goals in 60 minutes. When I saw him getting subbed off I was very happy. Erling is… at the beginning of the game he is nowhere, then he turns up and scores a hat-trick. What he’s done, I don’t understand how but I enjoy [playing with] him. I’m happy to be part of this team and being surrounded with amazing players is something some people can’t imagine. I take every day to learn from the best. You never know what will happen next season. Use every day to make yourself better.”
Haaland has learned how to conserve his energy, allowing him to burst into life when it matters most. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi follows a similar approach, with the mercurial Argentine often seen wandering around the pitch before suddenly producing moments of match-altering brilliance.
Haaland has hit a further 18 goals through 19 appearances for City this season and will, having overcome an injury concern picked up while on international duty, be back in action on Tuesday when Gvardiol and Co are reunited with RB Leipzig in Champions League competition.