“So Surprised Someone Could Be That Talented” – $196,000,000 Superstar ‘Could Reach’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s Level, Says FC Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan

It was the turn of Lionel Messi to decide to play soccer away from the European spotlight after Cristiano Ronaldo. The two GOATs might have passed their peaks. It’s the time to pass the baton to next-gen superstars. But the question arises: who’s next?

FC Barcelona’s new signing has an answer for this. Ilkay Gundogan switched to the Spanish champions on a free transfer recently. The announcement came after the German won the treble with Manchester City and decided to move on despite an offer from Citizens. During his farewell message, the star midfielder praised his City teammate.

Is Erling Haaland the next big thing in soccer?

Gundogan joined Manchester City in 2016 from Borussia Dortmund. He went on to win 14 major trophies with City in his stint in England. And after winning the treble, he decided to move on to a new challenge. FC Barcelona made his signing official recently. Gundogan, in his farewell, spoke about his life at City and his former teammates.

The German was full of praise for Erling Haaland, who ended the season immensely. Gundogan thinks Haaland will be the next big thing in soccer after Messi and Ronaldo. “Then you have Erling Haaland. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when he came here. You see the goals and all the attention that he was getting at Dortmund, and you wonder if he’s going to fit with the group,” Gundogan said.

“But when I got to know him, I was so surprised how someone could be that talented and still have the will to be even better every single day. He’s never satisfied. I feel like there are no limits for him. Messi and Ronaldo are the only comparisons for the level he could reach,” said the German, who is confident of Norwegian reaching new heights in soccer. With the kind of season Haaland had, he completely outshined top players like Messi and Kylian Mbappe in Europe.

Erling Haaland ends the season on high

Haaland won the Premier League, FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City. On top of that, FA named him Premier League Player of the Year and Premier League Young Player of the Year. The Norwegian broke the longstanding record of the most goals in a single Premier League season.

READ MORE: “It Is the Best.. I Have Ever Seen” – Erling Haaland Details ‘Best First Half’ Following Manchester City’s 4–0 Drubbing of Real Madrid as They Chase First UCL Title

Apart from winning Premier League Golden Boot, the former Dortmund striker also grabbed the European Golden Shoe. His individual exploits with treble have made him a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Only time will tell whether he wins the prestigious award. But one thing is for sure, Haaland has announced himself on the world stage. 

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Let us know whether it will be just Haaland or any other superstar with Norwegian who will be carrying the mantle of Messi and Ronaldo.