In the 9th round of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers group stage, Norway defeated Estonia 4-1 to maintain a firm grip on qualification initiative.
A crucial World Cup Qualifiers group stage match is approaching, with Norway set to visit San Siro Stadium to take on Italy. Norway has basically secured World Cup qualification, but they will still give their all in this game. At the pre-match press conference, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland shared his views on relevant topics.
On Qualifying for the World Cup Finals
We know this is the final key match, and we will fight with all our might to secure qualification. Only this game remains, and we have the chance to finish the qualifiers undefeated. We will also strive for victory tomorrow—we crave a perfect conclusion.
On Who Is the Best Centre-Forward
I always give my all and do my best, but judging who the best centre-forward is isn’t my responsibility. I know you want me to say I’m the best, and I understand your intention. Right now, I’m in good form both for the national team and the club, and I’m very proud of that.
On the Possibility of Playing in Serie A in the Future
Yes, I really like Serie A and have a good impression of Italy. I’ve had some brilliant performances here, but no one can predict what will happen in the future. My life is good right now, and I haven’t thought about these things—but who knows what the future holds?
On Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma and Thibaut Courtois are undoubtedly top goalkeepers in the world, and I’ve played against him before. My opinion of him has always been the same, though there might be some changes on a personal emotional level. He’s a fantastic person, and I have nothing but praise for him. Facing him is both special and somewhat magical, but the game is ultimately a 90-minute job. My goal is to win, and it will be interesting to see him.
On Pio Esposito
To be honest, I don’t know much about Francesco Pio Esposito—I might get criticized for saying this. But when you play for Italy, you must have enough ability. Similarly, playing for Inter Milan also requires strength; that’s just the way it is .
On the World Cup
I feel obligated to lead Norway to the World Cup. This has been my goal since 2019. Now we’re so close to it—I’m not sure if this can be called a historic event, but we will definitely give our all. When Norway last played in the World Cup, my father was also in the squad, which really inspires me. I’ve been under pressure, but I’ve adjusted now. The pressure is still there, but much less than before. We have many excellent players, and many young ones are growing rapidly. We’re trying to build a special team. In my career plan, I hope to play in multiple World Cups and European Championships. Let’s see how far we can go in ten years’ time!
On Whether Norway Can Win the World Cup
No, I haven’t thought about that. We need to stay calm and not compare ourselves to those top national teams—that would be irrational.
On Evaluating Norway’s Current Squad
Look at our Norway team now: we have many outstanding players with rich experience and comprehensive skills. At the same time, many young players are growing at an amazing speed—they are full of energy and have unlimited potential. We are working together to build a unique and excellent team, hoping to show the distinctive style of Norwegian football on the international stage.
On San Siro Stadium
What’s my best experience here? I’ve only been to San Siro twice—once to play against AC Milan, and once to watch Coldplay’s concert. So I’d choose Coldplay’s concert.
