An extremely popular soccer superstar made his feelings known about Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud after his original favorite Rafael Nadal’s retirement. Interestingly, the 22-time Grand Slam champion is the idol of both Alcaraz and Ruud.
During a recent interview with TNT Sports, Manchester City ace Erling Haaland was questioned about his favorite sport outside football.
“Aside from football, what is your favorite sport?”
“Tennis,” Haaland responded.
He was then asked,
“Do you have a favorite tennis player?”
The $40 million star, as per Celebrity Net Worth, revealed that he was a Nadal fan, but since he retired at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, he chose the other Spaniard on the rise, Carlos Alcaraz, and his countryman Casper Ruud.
“(Rafael) Nadal. But he’s finished now. So, the Spanish one (Alcaraz) or Casper Ruud. Norwegian.”
Erlina Haaland and Casper Ruud have shared support for each other in the past as well. During Ruud’s press conference after making it to the quarterfinals of the 2022 US Open, he was asked whether the Norwegians will be looking forward to watching him take on Matteo Berrettini to which he responded,
“We have winter sports that dominate and we have a new pretty good football player, in case you haven’t heard of him: Haaland. He’s doing pretty good at the moment.”
He further dubbed the Manchester City star the ‘biggest athlete’ in Norway.
“He’s the biggest athlete star we have in Norway, I think. A lot of people are watching him and the winter sports,” he added.
Haaland recently had the privilege of meeting his former favorite tennis star.
When Rafael Nadal met with Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, and other Manchester City stars
Rafael Nadal‘s love for football is no secret to his fans. The Spaniard hung up his racket after Spain’s defeat to the Netherlands at the Davis Cup Finals, but about a week later, he was seen at the City Football Academy.
The 22-time Major champion met with the likes of Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji, Pep Guardiola, Erling Haalan (check the fourth image), and Bernardo Silva. Ballon d’Or winner and Manchester City star Rodri had paid tribute to the Spanish legend after his retirement.
However, after his trip to Manchester, he was seen at Anfield supporting his beloved Real Madrid against Liverpool.
It is interesting to note that Manchester City and Real Madrid, the Spaniard’s favorite club, have had some of the most exciting football matches in recent years. What makes his visit even more interesting is the fact that City is managed by Pep Guardiola, the man who caused Los Blancos a huge amount of trouble during his time at Barcelona.
