Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has quickly become one of the most exciting and prolific signings in Premier League history, after he joined Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
He immediately started scoring goals for the current champions and he seems destined to win the Golden Boot come the end of the season.
The striker has given an interview to GQ in which he shares his hopes of leading his team to the Champions League, his aspirations to help Norway qualify for the World Cup in 2026 and how he uses meditation to manage stress, among other topics.
Haaland on his goals in football
“I will try to do everything in my power to win trophies here with Manchester City and to try to be the game changer,” he said, when discussing his club objectives.
“My goal is to win the Champions League, hopefully.”
In addition, the Norwegian footballer dreams of taking his country to the World Cup.
“Norway is a small, small nation; 5.5 million, I think less,” he said.
“So we’re not a big nation. But again, you see at the World Cup small nations that do fantastic things.
“We hope to qualify [in 2026], that’s my biggest goal with them. Hopefully one day I will get to play knockout games with Norway.”
Haaland on the Ballon d’Or
His young but fantastic football career – with a total of 21 Premier League goals scored, eight more than England captain Harry Kane – means his name is among those likely to be mentioned at the end of the year in the Ballon d’Or vote.
“I think everybody cares [about the Ballon d’Or], but I don’t think it’s a good thing to think about this,” he said of the individual prize.
“If you and your team are playing really well, you will perform well, you will begin to win trophies, and you will probably be on the list.”
Karim Benzema is the current Ballon d’Or holder and the Frenchman is a reference for Haaland.
“Benzema is 35 now and I think even better,” Haaland said.
“So in 12 years I hope to be even better than I am now.”
Haaland’s relaxation and meditation practices
Haaland focuses on the mental side of the sport more intensely than other players. It’s even seen with his most famous goal celebration, as he settles into the lotus position and closes his eyes, as if in a meditative trance.
“I think [meditation] is a really good thing, to relax, to try to not think too much, because stress is not good for anyone” he said.
“I hate to be stressed, and I try not to be stressed.
“But the concept of meditation is to try to let go of these kinds of thoughts. It’s really individual, but for me it’s worked really well.”
