Things could have been very different for Haaland
Erling Haaland has revealed that he could have represented England at international level, but declared that he is “proud” to play for Norway.
The forward has already established himself as one of the best players in the world at the age of 22 and has settled into life at Manchester City with ease.
While his club career is expected to be dominated by records being broken and trophies being won, Haaland may experience a different fate with his country.
Having failed to qualify for the World Cup, Haaland now faces the prospect of six weeks without any competitive football but had he picked to play for England, the country where he was born, he could well have been lining up alongside Harry Kane in Qatar.
But despite having the option, the striker said there was only ever one choice for him.
“I lived here [England] for three-and-a-half, four years. But I lived in Norway for such a long time, so it was natural for me to choose Norway,” he told Goal.
“You never know how it might have been if my father [Alf-Inge] had played longer in England, maybe I would be English! But I’m Norwegian, and I’m proud of it.”
Haaland currently has 21 goals to his name at international level and it is more of a case of when, rather than if, he will break the country’s all-time highest scorer record which is currently held by Jorgan Juve (33).
His start at Man City is equally as impressive. Haaland already has 18 goals in 12 appearances, including three hat-tricks in a row at the Etihad Stadium.
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