Haaland calls England clash 'special' due to birthplace and Premier League ties

Erling Haaland described Norway's upcoming World Cup quarter-final against England as a "special" match, citing his birthplace and his career in the English Premier League. "It's a special game. Because I was born in England and play there. You also play against teammates, so it's a particular game and it's going to be nice," the Manchester City striker said at a press conference.

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It's a special game. Because I was born in England and play there. You also play against teammates, so it's a particular game and it's going to be nice.

Haaland was born in Leeds 25 years ago while his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played for the local team. The family relocated to Norway when he was three. This Saturday marks the first time Haaland will compete against the nation where he was born, with a spot in the World Cup semi-finals at stake in Miami.

The match holds historical significance for Norway, which has never advanced this far in a World Cup. Their recent victory over Brazil in the round of 16 was described by Haaland as "a kind of madness." He added that playing England in the quarter-finals in the United States is "quite special."

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Playing against Brazil was a kind of madness for us, and beating them to then go and play England in the World Cup quarter-finals, in the United States, is quite special.

Despite England being the favorites, Haaland suggested the pressure rests on their shoulders. He expressed immense honor in playing in the World Cup, calling it a major career goal. "To be able to be here and play on the biggest stage with my Norwegian friends against the best teams in the world is truly special," he highlighted. However, he singled out Norway's debut match against Iraq as the most memorable moment of the tournament so far, recalling the difficulty in processing the experience upon entering the field.

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The simple fact of being able to play in the World Cup is a huge honor for me. It was a big goal in my career. So to be able to be here and play on the biggest stage with my Norwegian friends against the best teams in the world is truly special.

Haaland is Norway's leading scorer in the World Cup with seven goals, one shy of tournament top scorer Lionel Messi. His goals have contributed to Norway's record of four wins and one loss, the latter against France in a group stage match where he and most starters did not play.

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It's complicated to absorb everything, but you also need to win.