Erling Haaland reveals key lesson from Cristiano Ronaldo for goal-scoring mastery

Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland, has shed light on a crucial aspect he learned from Cristiano Ronaldo to enhance his goal-scoring prowess. Haaland, who joined the Premier League champions from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has made a significant impact with his remarkable goal-scoring record.

In the 2021-2022 season, the 23-year-old netted an impressive 52 goals and contributed nine assists in 53 games for Pep Guardiola’s side, securing triumphs in the Champions League, FA Cup, and the Premier League. In the ongoing season, Haaland has continued his stellar performance, notching up 17 goals and providing four assists in 16 games across various competitions for Manchester City.

During a discussion with TV 2 experts Simen Stamso-Moller and Jesper Mathisen, Haaland highlighted his enhanced heading ability, attributing it to lessons learned from Cristiano Ronaldo. He expressed admiration for Ronaldo’s movements in the box, emphasizing the significance of well-timed and precise movements to outwit defenders and secure goal-scoring opportunities.

Haaland stated, “I remember always watching Cristiano Ronaldo. His movements in the box: He used to make two or three moves before attacking the space he wanted to be in. It’s kind of a duel in that situation with the centre-backs.”

He underscored the importance of perfect timing and the delivery of a quality cross for effective headed goals. Haaland continued by acknowledging Ronaldo’s evolution as a striker, particularly during his Manchester United and early Real Madrid days, marveling at how Ronaldo successfully transformed into a prolific goal-scorer.

The Norwegian striker highlighted the significance of the subtle movements within the box and the ability to deceive defenders, crediting Ronaldo for mastering these aspects of the game. Haaland’s insights provide a glimpse into the meticulous study and learning process that top athletes engage in to elevate their performance on the field.