Erling Haaland, the star striker for Manchester City, has finally settled the long-standing debate of choosing between football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. According to Managing Barca, an independent channel, Haaland expressed his preference for the Argentina legend, Messi.
Haaland decisively put an end to the recurring question, stating, “Messi or Ronaldo? I don’t know why you ask me this every time. You’ll always get the same answer: Leo Messi.” The Premier League golden boot winner made his choice clear.
In a recent interview with Joel Beya, the founder of CheekySport, Haaland was further asked to pick between Messi’s left foot and Ronaldo’s right foot. Considering his own natural left-footed abilities, the young striker opted for Ronaldo’s favored foot, the right foot.
Haaland’s response exhibited modesty, and it’s worth noting that he himself boasts an impressive scoring record. As a left-footed player, he has maintained an exceptional average of nearly one goal per game for Manchester City. With 52 goals in 53 appearances for the Cityzens, he has made a significant impact.
The 22-year-old striker also shattered the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season. Surpassing Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, who previously held the record with 34 goals, Haaland concluded the season with an outstanding tally of 36 goals in 35 appearances for the Premier League outfit.
Furthermore, Haaland achieved a remarkable treble last season, securing victories in the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and the FA Cup with Manchester City. He emerged as the top scorer in both the Premier League and the Champions League. If he continues his exceptional performances in the upcoming season, he will likely be a strong contender for the prestigious 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
In the forthcoming 2023/24 season, Haaland will be the most expensive player for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, with a price tag of £14 million. This places him ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who is priced at £12.5 million. Given Haaland’s incredible goal-scoring abilities, it is no surprise that he commands such a high value.
Only three players in FPL history have enjoyed the privilege of a starting price of £14 million. Haaland now joins the elite company of Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robin Van Persie. Henry, with his remarkable performances, holds the highest value ever registered in the Premier League. His £14 million starting price skyrocketed to an enormous £14.9 million in 2005, following his 27 goals and eight assists in just 32 league games.
For FPL managers, the question arises whether they will attempt to fit both Haaland and Salah in their teams. Haaland’s exceptional season has made him an enticing option for fantasy football enthusiasts, and his price reflects his immense value in the game.