PHOTO: Bildbyrån + Instagram
Erling Haaland had an absolutely fantastic football season.
But now suddenly comes unexpected criticism from his home country of Norway.
Which causes skiing icon Petter Northug to react strongly.
The last season was absolutely unparalleled for the Norwegian star shot Erling Haaland. The 23-year-old made his very first season in England and exceeded all expectations as the spearhead of Manchester City.
Haaland’s success
The Norwegian poured in goals and broke the all-time goalscoring record in the Premier League. With his 52 goals during the season, he helped his team to a historic treble with trophies in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
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Therefore, Haaland has really treated himself to much-needed rest during the summer break and also took the opportunity to enjoy life as a football star extra. We have seen him holiday in Ibiza, visited exclusive fashion shows and the launch of the new video game Fifa in Amsterdam, among other things.
READ MORE: The skiing icon’s completely unexpected tribute to Zlatan and Gunde Svan – which made Northug go crazy: “It was stupid to…”
The criticism in Norway
It’s been really busy before he joined the club’s training camp in Asia to fully prepare for the new season which kicks off this weekend. But his eventful summer has also attracted clear criticism in his native Norway.
The NRK expert Carl-Erik Torp questions Erling Haaland’s attention-grabbing behavior and opens up about his concern for the big star.
– There are so many examples of players who were among the best in the world, but who then discovered life outside of football. It is not impossible that this goes beyond his hunger. His hunger has taken him to where he is today. It has been his X-factor alongside his enormous physique, says the Norwegian in a critical statement.
– Football takes so much time and it makes extreme demands on you if you want to be the best. If you get a taste for the other life, it can create a conflict within you.
READ MORE: Gunde Svan’s gesture to Petter Northug in crisis says everything about the Swedish skiing hero: “A fantastic person”
Northug acts
The words have been given to the Norwegian skiing icon Peter Northug to react strongly and ride out in defense of the football star. The outspoken and controversial cross-country skier does not agree at all that Haaland has lost his footing.
– If you are as big a star as he is, you will receive criticism for things that are done. People are always looking for fault. I think Haaland should look ahead instead and he has benefited from this break. It will be exciting to see if he is fit when the season starts again, says Northug to NRK.
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Manchester City opens the Premier League season already on Friday evening with an away match against newcomer Burnley. Then it’s time for Erling Haaland to start chasing new goals and records in England.
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