Michu Finally Breaks Silence Over Erling Haaland Using His Iconic Goalscoring Celebration

Premier League cult hero Michu has insisted that it is an "honour" to see Erling Haaland use his famous goalscoring celebration.

Haaland, 20, has emerged as one of Europe's top wonderkids after a phenomenal season with Borussia Dortmund and RB Salzburg.

And the Dortmund striker is a huge admirer of Michu and would frequently show his affection to the Swansea City legend on social media when he was younger.

Haaland took it one step further during Norway's 5-1 demolition of Northern Ireland in the Nations League on Monday.

The Norway international scored a brace in the match and copied Michu's old celebration by cupping his hand around his ear as he paid a fitting tribute to his hero.

While Michu was unsure if Haaland does the celebration for the same reasons as he did, he shared nothing but admiration for the Norwegian wonderkid.

"I did it because when things are steady and having an opinion is free, there are people that really have a go at you," the 34-year-old Spaniard told Radio Marca.

"When you score goals, everyone that was criticising you isn't being listened to at that moment.

"I don't know if Haaland does it because of that, but it's an honour that he does it. For me, he's one of the best strikers in Europe."

Michu, who is the technical secretary of Real Oviedo, claimed that Haaland could become a "player that's going to define a decade in this sport."

And the former Spain international believes it wouldn't be long before the Dortmund starlet plays for teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City or Bayern Munich.

"When I was in England, he was very young and he was just starting out," Michu said.

"I had a very good first season at Swansea and I suppose he ended up watching my matches.

"For me, it's an honour because I think he's a player that's going to define a decade in this sport.

"He has it all: youth, goalscoring, he's very quick despite his height, he's good with both feet... I think he's going to be one of the best strikers in Europe.

"I've never seen a breakthrough like it in European football -- maybe [Kylian] Mbappe.

"But he's very young, he's got a good head on those shoulders and we'll soon see him at a great team like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich..."

Michu added that he and Haaland " talk a lot on social media" and he has tipped the former RB Salzburg striker to challenge for the Ballon d'Or someday.

"We talk a lot on social media," he said. "I give him lots of advice and support from my experience as a player.

"He's still a kid, he has plenty to improve on and it looks like he's got a massive future. If he continues with that progression, he'll fight for the Golden Boot and Ballon d'Or every season.

"He's a very humble boy and has everything in front of him. He's got a big personality despite his age.

"He's very well advised. He's got all the ingredients to be the best player in the world.

"He's made a very clever move in signing for Borussia. He'll keep growing there before making the step up to the elite."

Featured Image Credit: PA/Twitter

Topics: Football News, Football, UEFA Nations League, Erling Haaland, UEFA, Norway

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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