Haaland reveals the toughest defender he's ever faced, his answer worries Guardiola

Erling Haaland has become one of the best, if not the best striker in the world since his arrival at Manchester City. The 23-year-old Norwegian striker had arrived in the Premier League from Borussia Dortmund with high expectations, but he not only lived up to them, he exceeded them in his first season with the Citizens, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.

As well as winning all those trophies with Manchester City, Haaland has also established himself as one of the best players in the world and many believe that the 2023 Ballon d'Or award should have been won by him rather than Lionel Messi. However, simply being in that discussion is a clear indication of what has been achieved by the Norwegian striker, who in addition to all that, in his first campaign in English football managed to break the record for most goals in a Premier League season.

Haaland is capable of scoring from anywhere and his goals are very diverse. The Android is a very tall, strong, fast player with a good shot with both his head and foot. That is why he quickly became a headache for opposing defences, who tremble every time the Norwegian is on the pitch. However, Erling Haaland himself has revealed that there is one defender he has never been able to beat and that he is the toughest he has ever faced.

According to the Manchester City striker, that imposing defender is Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool and Netherlands captain and centre-back is considered one of the best in the world and now Erling Haalan knows why. "Virgil van Dijk, he's tall, he's quick and his reaction is amazing. I have never beaten him in any duel against him," Haaland admitted in an interview.

Haaland fights for the scoring title

Erling Haaland's 2023/24 season with Manchester City has been a good one overall, as the team is fighting for the top of the Premier League with Liverpool. On an individual level, Haaland is also battling with Reds star Mohamed Salah for the goalscoring title. Both have 14 goals so far this season, but the Egyptian will be absent for several matches to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, so the Norwegian striker could take advantage of that to close the gap.