Italy legend Alessandro Nesta believes he could have stopped Manchester City star Erling Haaland: ‘I played against the Brazilian Ronaldo and Leo Messi…’
The Norway international has had a stunning start to the season with 19 goals in 12 games across all competitions this term.
He is regarded as the best centre forward in the world at the moment, but Italy’s World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta believes he could have stopped Pep Guardiola’s striker.
“I can play, yeah, because I played against the Brazilian Ronaldo, Haaland is very good, but the other one was something different,” he told Copa 90.
“I played against Messi, against Cristiano, but to me the Brazilian Ronaldo was different.”
So, how would he stop the Manchester City forward?
“I’d try to stay close to him. When he tries to start, maybe block him. If you leave too much space, you are dead.”
Nesta is one of Italy’s most iconic defenders. He didn’t only lift the World Cup with the Azzurri in 2006, but also won the Serie A and the UEFA Super Cup title three times and the Champions League twice.
Well said Alessandro, you definitely would have stopped Haaland.
One of the true greats in football history.
Nesta13
He was “the art of defense” personified.