‘Erling’s got it Haal to be world’s No.1 star’

ERLING HAALAND is destined to become the world’s No.1 player according to his Borussia Dortmund team-mate Marco Reus.

The strike star, 20, who faces Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, has scored an incredible 39 goals in 41 appearances for club and country this term.

It is little wonder Haaland is wanted by every football giant in the world, from Real Madrid and Barcelona to both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich – despite a reported £150million price tag.

Reus believes the Norwegian’s potential is so great he could overtake Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s top star.

Reus (below) said: “Haaland is a unique case in football, he’s incredible. The jump to the Bundesliga is complicated for every player and yet he has not even noticed it since the very first game.

“He is not afraid of anything and has everything required to succeed on the world level. He is already an international star, but he is going to be No.1 in the world if he follows this same line. I am sure of that.”

It is a glowing reference from a two-time Bundesliga Player of the Year who has 44 caps and 13 goals for Germany.

But hope for City, who won the first leg of their last-16 tie against Dortmund 2-1, comes from Phil Foden, whose strike won the game.

Foden is only two months older than Haaland and comparisons between the two (above, after the first leg) are inevitable as both clubs bid to reach the semi-finals.

But Reus claimed: “It is not easy to compare them as they are different styles of players, but it’s true they have the same goal. “Foden is a very good player, like everyone at City. People talk of other names, but this player is scoring important goals this year. I think he is already at a great level and he can go very far.”