Flying too close to the sun.
The young superstar is one of football’s most compelling archetypes. The idea of a “Starboy” has permeated throughout the sport since its inception, the exciting promise of potential has often driven fans to the point of worship. Unfortunately, this fanatic pedestal often leads to these young stars crashing and burning.
We think back to the Quaresmas and the Bojans and we see that they all possess the common trait of “Believing the hype.” They are put atop the proverbial mountain by the footballing world, and no one can blame a 20-year-old for thinking that they are invincible. Lifestyles change, bank accounts fatten, worlds are flipped upside down, and unfortunately in the process careers are never fully fulfilled.
It takes a special kind of mentality to have the world at your feet and still play the backward pass. To hold your hand up and admit that you have a ways to go. It is even more stirring when the player has scored 52 goals in all competitions, won the PL and UCL top scorer, and won a continental treble. Approximately half an hour after realizing his childhood dream. Erling Haaland found himself being interviewed by one of the greatest players of all time, Thierry Henry. The interview followed the typical mold of gratitude, speechlessness, and disbelief to the historical achievement of a treble.
The conversation then took an interesting turn, as Haaland was asked if he had any questions for the panel, Haaland’s mind begins to race but he settles on the question “If you had one advice for me, what would it be?” A wonderful (and frankly frightening) indicator of his thirst for excellence. The willingness to learn and improve is a testament to the Norwegian’s mentality and hunger. The idea of a 22-year-old, especially one with the level of stardom as Haaland, having the humility and foresight to speak in such a way is commendable.
Manchester's Blue
If you ask a Manchester City fan about Erling Haaland, you will undoubtedly be met with a frenzy of superlatives and infatuation. While his role on the pitch, specifically his ability to put the ball into the back of the net, is a key part of that admiration, it does not paint the full picture of why City fans love our resident Viking.
Erling Haaland is a blue. There is no simpler or more impactful way to say it. He loves the club, he knows what it means to the fans when he chases down defenders when he breaks through the defensive line, and of course when he scores goals. The euphoric reaction that the striker elicits from the city faithful is a sight to behold.
A criticism of Pep’s city over the last few years has been their lack of bite, detractors often cited the absence of a true ruthless number 9 for this. Despite this Pep delivered 2 premier league titles in 2 years, but his brilliance is a topic for another time. City’s champions league failures were looked at as a result of the team not having that stone-cold killer. Enter an enigmatic wunderkind, with a deadly left foot and a familial tie to the club. Hailed as the solution to City’s 1st world problems and as the ruthless cherry on top of an already decadent sundae.
The rush that Erling Haaland’s second goal against West Ham gave me is something that was truly special. Two seasons of “the extra pass” in front of goal, often leading to attacks petering out, contrasted with a 6’5 machine running in behind the defensive line, angling his body, and slotting home. The goal was not special for what it was, a relatively routine run in behind and finish, it was special because of what it meant to City fans everywhere. The mouthwatering prospect of watching an out-and-out number 9 in an age where true strikers are rare, excited fans. And for that talisman to be a fan of the club? We were in dreamland.
Minecraft and Goodness
This season, Erling Haaland has set the premier league and champions league ablaze, won a continental treble, and won a bucket of awards, but the one thing that has stood out is the way that he’s carried himself. The elites need arrogance, but in the right amount, throughout the season the Norwegian has shown himself to be just the right amount of arrogant, aware of his marvelous talent, but also aware of his limitations. He has held himself to the highest possible standard, critiquing himself after scoring five goals being a particularly egregious example. It is the humility that he has displayed that makes him a truly frightening prospect in the future.
The most important thing that I have taken from Erling Haaland’s year is not his greatness, but his goodness. It’s his positivity and humility, it’s him going home to play Minecraft after a game. In an age where sports stars are hailed as gods, and more often than not start to behave like it, Erling Haaland is redefining superstardom. An example of positive masculinity and security, I hope that City’s number 9 continues to inspire children to not take themselves so seriously, while also trying their hardest to succeed. As Football enters a new age, great players and good people like Haaland are integral to the sport we love.
Erling Haaland has not just been a genuine superstar, but also a good one, and long may it continue.
Insightful