Often, superstars like Manchester City phenomenon Erling Haaland tend to approach training like games; a characteristic that plays a vital role in them being at the pinnacle of world football.
Ian Wright compared Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of his dedication to becoming the best off the pitch and the Al-Nassr forward seems to push himself to the limit even at 39 years of age.
Haaland is still only 24 and unlike Ronaldo, he is still at the peak of his powers.
As a result, the Manchester City striker’s body can perhaps handle the physical tests of playing every three days and still training in a way that players in the latter years of their careers cannot afford to due to risking injuries and fatigue.
Bernardo Silva trains with Haaland day in and day out at City.
Bernardo Silva says Erling Haaland is “chilled” in Man City training
The Portuguese international has also trained with strikers like Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Julian Alvarez at Manchester City.
Kyle Walker named Aguero as the “worst” trainer he has ever played with in his career — despite the Argentine always seeming switched on and up for any game during his time at City.
Bernardo has revealed that in training, Haaland is quite relaxed in how he goes about things.
The 30-year-old told Pro: Direct Soccer: “He’s a chill guy. I think he’s very competitive in games and he demands a lot of himself but in training, he’s more chilled.”
It seems like Haaland has the ability to have a laid-back approach in training and on matchday, he becomes a completely different animal.
Owen Hargreaves once claimed Carlos Tevez was a poor trainer — but in a game, one would would always back him to come good.
Joleon Lescott revealed Yaya Toure was not the best trainer as well but on a matchday, he would be able to turn up and play at a world-class standard for Manchester City week in and week out.
It’s safe to say that the likes of Aguero, Tevez and Toure were incredible match-winners at the Etihad Stadium and their approach in training did not seem to impact their performances whatsoever; with Haaland being no different.
Jack Grealish revealed what Haaland is like behind the scenes
However, unlike in the legendary City trio’s cases, the Norwegian seems to be less unbothered and more laid-back in training in comparison.
After all, in an interview with the Daily Mail, Jack Grealish revealed how Haaland is the best professional he has ever met in football.
“He is the best professional I have ever seen. His mindset is something you won’t see again. He does everything. Recovers. In the gym. Ten hours of treatment a day. Ice baths. Diet. That’s why he is what he is. But I swear I couldn’t be like that.”
“We have a great friendship but he will point at me after a game and say, ‘Hey, don’t you go out tonight partying.’ I just tell him to shut up and go and sit in his ice bath. But that’s us. Two different people doing well in our own way.”
Troy Deeney revealed Grealish called Haaland “boring” when they were discussing the star striker is “all he does is training, eat, sleep, repeat.”
The two-time Premier League winner perhaps tries to focus on recovering from strenuous games as the Manchester City winger’s revelation suggests just how incredible his work ethic is.
