US Open star Casper Ruud opens up on competing with Erling Haaland to become Norway's top star

Ever since his move to Borussia Dortmund, Erling Haaland has proven that there are not many superior goalscorers than him in the world.

Coming to arguably the best league in the world in the Premier League this summer, the Manchester City striker has exhibited that he is capable of replicating his exploits at the highest level.

In his first six games for the club, the former RB Salzburg talisman has scored a staggering ten goals.

For context, the 22-year-old has now equalled a 30-year-old record to become the joint-fastest player to reach double digits in as many games.

Bagging successive hat-tricks against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, the youngster also became the fastest player in Premier League history to score three goals in a single game, twice.

After an uncharacteristically off-showing against Liverpool in the FA Community Shield, many started to doubt whether Erling Haaland was cut out for English football.

However, the Norwegian international has since put all those questions to bed, by starting his Manchester City career like a man on a mission.

Tennis star and fellow countryman, Casper Ruud - who is set to face Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 Men’s US Open Final on Sunday night - sang the Sky Blues superstar’s praises after his start to life at the Etihad Stadium.

“He’s had an unbelievable season so far," Ruud opened.

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland (Twitter)

"We all hope he keeps going.

"It’s a joy to watch him score goal after goal," he said, as quoted by the Independent.

While Norway has produced top players such as Ole Gunnar Solskjær, John Carew and John Arne Riise in the past, it is largely acknowledged that a talent of Erling Haaland’s calibre remains one of one.

Casper Ruud, who is breaking barriers in tennis for his nation, also admitted that the DFB Pokal winner is the country’s biggest superstar.

“He’s obviously the biggest star we have in Norway for the moment.

"He’ll probably continue to be so for many more years.”

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With Erling Haaland set to compete with Kylian Mbappe for the title of the best player in the world for years to come, it is hard to see his stock plummeting anytime soon.

Playing for a side of Manchester City’s stature as well, the revered frontman’s fandom both in Norway and around the world is only likely to rise over time.