ERLING HAALAND named the seven strikers he thinks were better than him – but would back himself in a crunch tie.
The Borussia Dortmund star, 21, burst on to the scene with a series of stunning displays over recent years with Red Bull Salzburg and now in Germany.
Scoring goals for fun, Haaland made his transfer to the Bundesliga giants in the winter transfer window of 2020.
And in an interview with VG back in October 2020, the Norwegian sensation could only think of seven centre-forwards in world football better than him at the time – and it was some list.
The seven was made up of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski from rivals Bayern Munich.
Three of the remaining five strikers also ply their trade in the Premier League with Tottenham hero Harry Kane, Roberto Firmino of Liverpool and Chelsea man Timo Werner – who has struggled to replicate his form from Germany at Stamford Bridge.
New Barcelona ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the list, as is the man he replaced at the Nou Camp, Sergio Aguero, who was forced to retire last year.
But despite the hundreds of goals between the seven, Haaland emphasised he had the self-confidence to choose himself to lead the line in a huge match.
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There are, however, a few of the biggest No9 names left out.
Haaland omitted the likes of Luis Suarez, Karim Benzema and Romelu Lukaku – as well as Leicester legend Jamie Vardy.
The Norwegian said the Foxes frontman is the ‘best striker in the world’ at getting in behind defences and revealed he watches videos of him in action.
But the biggest surprise sees no Kylian Mbappe, arguably the most valuable player in the world, on the Norwegian’s list.
The pair, both transfer targets for Real Madrid, may not see eye to eye after Mbappe, Neymar and their Paris Saint-Germain team-mates mocked the Dortmund star’s celebration following their comeback win in the Champions League in 2020.
Haaland was also wanted by Manchester United before his Dortmund switch – but revealed the “good vibes” he got from the Bundesliga side convinced him to join Die Schwarzgelben.
However, the striker is expected to move on from Dortmund this summer with United, Manchester City, Barca and Real Madrid among the interested parties.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
