Manchester City forward Erling Haaland would often study YouTube clips of Cristiano Ronaldo to develop his own game.
The 23-year-old has previously opened up on watching other strikers to try and figure out what made them unique; whether that would be Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jamie Vardy or Sergio Aguero.
He would later work under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde, Marco Rose at Borussia Dortmund and, of course, Pep Guardiola, who would all add a certain something to his overall game.
But it turns out Cristiano Ronaldo might have been the biggest influence of all. Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2, Haaland revealed the reasons behind watching the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward.
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"I remember always watching him on YouTube for his movements in the box," Haaland says.
"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.
"It is important to time it perfectly. And the post must be good. If you don't get a good cross, you won't be able to score with your head. How Cristiano moves, and how he has managed to develop his game."
Haaland added: "You remember when he played in Manchester United and the first years in Real Madrid, to become more of a striker in Real Madrid.
"It is incredible for him that he manages. But also how he scores the goals. It is the small movements in the box, and being able to deceive the defenders."
Ronaldo has previously voiced his appreciation for Haaland. Back in 2021, he was asked who will succeed him as one of football's next big stars.
“It is hard to choose just one player to say this one will be the best," he said. "But I think it is exciting to see this new generation of young players, like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, who are coming through.
“Some players can have one or two great seasons, the really great players are the ones that keep doing it season after season, and that is not so easy to do. It takes a lot of hard work, and a lot of commitment.”
After breaking the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season during his debut campaign for City, the prolific Haaland is already making a stamp on the current campaign.
He is already top of the Premier League's scoring charts with 13 goals in 12 games, and averages a goal every 79 minutes.
Topics: Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester City, Premier League
Jack Kenmare