Today we are going to learn more about Erling Haaland, one of the most famous football players in the world right now. We’ll start with a short video where Haaland talks about himself, his career, and Norway. While watching, you’ll complete a fill-in-the-gap exercise to check your listening skills. After that, we’ll read a text about Haaland and practise answering exam-style questions.
Think about these questions before we start:
- What do you already know about Norway?
- What do you already know about Haaland as a player?
- Why do you think people find him so special?
Exercise 1
While watching the video, fill in the English translations of the words below.
READING
THE HAALAND DOMINANCE
Book Review
[1] Every so often, an athlete comes along who completely changes the way we think about a sport. In football today, that athlete is Erling Haaland. In just a few years at the highest level, he has broken goal-scoring records and captured global attention. Whenever a striker scores so consistently, people naturally ask: what makes him so unstoppable? In his book Haaland: The Incredible Rise of Football’s Next Superstar, author Michael Part explores the qualities that set Haaland apart – his power, speed, mindset and determination – while comparing him to famous forwards of the past.
[2] Is it simply his family background? Haaland’s father was a professional footballer, so natural talent certainly runs in the family. ____ genes alone do not explain his rise. Part shows how Haaland also benefits from years of specialised training, a disciplined lifestyle, and a careful focus on diet and recovery. Even though many young players dream of a professional career, very few combine all these factors at once.
[3] Another reason for his success is the culture in which he developed. In Norway, Haaland trained in organised youth leagues from an early age, but he also spent hours working on his own, repeating drills until they became instinctive. His ____ and ability to learn from mistakes helped him stand out. Combined with the competitive atmosphere of European football academies, this determination pushed him to world-class level.
[4] Today, Haaland plays on some of the biggest stages in the world, including the Premier League and Champions League. Wherever he appears, fans debate his style of play and compare him to ____ like Ronaldo or Henry. The pressure on him is immense, but his performances show that he thrives under expectation. His rise highlights not only personal talent but also the wider systems of coaching and sports science that shape modern football.
[5] Overall, I found this book both enjoyable and informative. Even if you already know Haaland’s statistics, it contains fascinating insights you may not have noticed before. For football fans, young players, or anyone curious about how an athlete can dominate at the highest level, Haaland: The Incredible Rise of Football’s Next Superstar is a worthwhile read.
