I saw Erling Haaland show a different side - before Man City boss Pep Guardiola shot him down

Erling Haaland is thrown in front of the cameras on what feels like a weekly basis. But he's rarely thrown in front of dozens of questioners at the same time. Maybe it's something he'd prefer to avoid.

Since signing for Manchester City in 2022 he took part in a bombastic press conference to unveil his signing, before a surprise and engaging appearance before the Champions League clash with Copenhagen this season. Apart from that, he's kept his distance from the press conference arena.

So to speak in New York, two years and one month on from that unveiling, was a rare insight into City's star attraction. And he didn't disappoint.

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Walking in, Haaland woke up the room with a booming 'good afternoon'. When he received a few nods in response, he channelled his inner pantomime routine and asked for a more enthusiastic response. He got it.

"My body is rested and I'm ready to go," he said, noting that he had his longest break of his career this summer with no Euro 2024 action. That hurt him - he is targeting the 2026 World Cup to taste tournament football, and if that doesn't work out he'll refocus on 2028. And then 2030. He's desperate to represent Norway at the top table.

"It felt amazing. I needed it," he said of his break. "I was quite tired. It's going to be a long season this year as well." Haaland calculates that he could play 70 games this season, including internationals. He didn't watch much of the Euros in an attempt to completely switch off. "There's enough football in my life," he said.

Last season, he