ALL JU RESPECT Erling Haaland hails superstar pal Jude Bellingham after ‘too much criticism’ – as he backs England to WIN World Cup
ERLING HAALAND hailed superstar pal Jude Bellingham’s match-winning performance – and now wants England to win the World Cup.
And he even admitted he was originally a Three Lions fan BEFORE supporting Norway.
Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland were reunited in MiamiCredit: Getty
The Norwegian wants to see his Manchester City England pals go all the wayCredit: Getty
Haaland was upstaged by his old Borussia Dortmund bestie, who later took his manager Thomas Tuchel to task over stinging criticism of the team’s “lucky” victory.
Because while the Manchester City striker failed to score in a World Cup match for the first time, Bellingham grabbed both goals for England to complete the turnaround and book a semi-final date with Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The bromance duo enjoyed interactions before and throughout the game, then shared a warm embrace and some classy words after full-time.
And Haaland, 25, reckons Bellingham’s brace following the double in the Azteca was the perfect response to any doubts over his goalscoring numbers.
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He said: “Jude is a good friend. We had two good years together in Dortmund, we keep in touch and he’s such a good guy. We had so much fun together.
“I’m not surprised that he scored two goals and performs the way he does.
“The only thing is that sometimes he gets a bit too much criticism because he doesn’t score enough goals or whatever.
“He doesn’t deserve that because he’s one of the best in the world and he’s a midfielder who still scores goals and he still managed to dribble past every single player on the field.
“So it’s just praise for Jude. He’s unbelievable.
“England and Real Madrid are lucky because everybody would want a Jude in their team.”
Haaland could have played for England because he was born in Leeds in 2000 – the summer his dad Alf-Inge swapped Elland Road for Manchester City.
So the Three Lions have always had a special place in his heart, even before moving to the Premier League in 2022.
Haaland went up against City team-mates Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly, plus newbie Elliot Anderson and recently-released John Stones.
There is also guaranteed to be an Etihad star in the final with Rodri of Spain facing Rayan Cherki’s France in the first semi-final.
Asked by SunSport if he is now rooting for England to go all the way, Haaland added: “Yeah, why not?
“I have a few City lads in the England squad, one in France’s and one in Spain’s.
“Of course, I want England to do well because it’s a nice country and it’s a nice shirt.
“I got an England jersey before I got a Norway jersey when I was young.”
And while he no doubt will keep a keen eye on how the rest of the tournament unfolds and which team-mate might head back to the Etihad with a winner’s medal, Haaland will do so with his feet up.
He is very ready for a well-earned break after a 64-game, 58-goal season.
The centre forward – withdrawn at half-time in extra-time amid a dead leg and fatigue in the intense, humid Miami heat – reflected: “Well, how it is to be Erling Haaland right now?
“After being in the quarter-finals with Norway and going straight on holiday, it’s quite nice, I would say.
“I’m quite happy with my life, I’m enjoying it, I’m in a good place.
“But I’m completely finished now.
“I’ll be honest and say that I would think you will quickly find out what I’m going to get up to over the next couple of weeks.
“It’s the coolest six weeks I’ve had maybe in my entire life. It has been completely surreal.
“These are memories for life, it’s the most fun thing I’ve ever been a part of.
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“I hope it has created a togetherness in the country. We should be proud.
“The performances are one thing, beating Brazil is one thing, but the way we put Norway on the map – with the row, the good people we are – is the one thing that touches me the most.”
