Erling Haaland struggled to satisfy soaring expectations last season and after a summer out of the spotlight he knows the way to reclaim centre stage
One of the best players in the world wants to play on the biggest stages, but the Norwegian also feels the burden of trying to get his country to their first major tournament since a few months before he was born. It hurt to have to sit out Qatar 18 months ago, and it hurt to have to sit out this summer in Germany - even if it did give his body some additional time to rest up.
Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup start in September but before then Haaland has to get back to terrifying Premier League defences with City. Thirty-eight goals was another remarkable effort last season yet things were definitely more difficult for the big No.9 - not helped by a broken foot that kept him out for two months.
The timing of that press conference summed up the changed reaction to Haaland last season. In the week leading up to it he had scored six goals including five in the FA Cup win at Luton, yet the more pressing focus was a big miss against United in a derby he had scored in anyway. For a man of such phenomenal talent in front of goal, it had become more newsworthy when he misses.
Nobody quite knew why Haaland had chosen such a moment to speak, although it was hard not to draw a link to missing out on the Ballon d'Or to Messi where it felt like the biggest football achievements had not been enough to land the prize. At 23, here Haaland was presenting himself as a superstar off the pitch as well as on it.
Expectations have gone up again, with Haaland becoming the most expensive player in Fantasy Premier League history for the new season at 15 per cent of the total budget for 15 players. In the real world, he will be scrutinised more than almost any other player in the world simply because of the reputation that he has built up.
Rodri Phil Foden Manchester City FC
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