Foot: Erling Haaland, future billionaire?

Last week, the Madrid dailies announced that Real Madrid had a weakness for Erling Haaland for the next summer transfer window, ahead of Kylian Mbappé. But this Tuesday, Spanish radio Cadena Ser revealed that the Madrid club was waiting for the captain of the France team to “do the job” if they wanted to reach the Iberian capital next summer. A fairly vague situation which does not at all disturb Haaland, author of a new double on Sunday at Stamford Bridge during the epic draw between Chelsea and Manchester City (4-4).

His agent, the Brazilian Rafaela Pimenta, present at the Santigao Bernabeu stadium last Wednesday for the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Sporting Braga alongside the Madrid management, spoke this Tuesday in the columns of the English media The Guardian. The one who inherited the empire of the former Italian agent Mino Raiola, did not mention the future of the Norwegian striker but the very good relationship she maintains with him and his loved ones.

“I like dealing with the Haalands because they expect professionalism and they communicate clearly. It doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman. They listen to you. It's very refreshing. Erling is amazing with his feet on the ground. He is very aware of who he is and what he represents. He has no illusions. I have never seen in him these negative changes that fame and fortune bring. He's only 23 but he's so mature, so deep, so calm. And he loves to eat!”

The Brazilian subsequently discussed her project with the Cityzens star, who according to her could become the first player to earn 1 billion euros with the virtual industry. “I'm not saying the transfer fee would reach that amount. I want to talk about the whole package that you generate throughout your career. Today you can play up to 35 years old. You have to think about salary, transfer fees, broadcast income, sponsors, ticket sales, jerseys. With a player like Erling, it goes up to a billion,” Pimenta said.

“Revenues in the video game industry are enormous. In the metaverse, maybe I sell a digital Erling Haaland for €2,000 to 100 million people in India, China, Brazil, Mexico. Perhaps one day we will reach the moment when we experience a football match with glasses, which will trigger the same emotions as if I were there. You really go to 3D with the virtual experience,” continued the Norwegian’s agent.

“So maybe we will sell the football experience, not only to broadcasters but also to individuals who can never afford or find a ticket to the Bernabéu or the Etihad. They can experience the game [on the metaverse] as if they were there. So when I say a billion, I’m using multipliers beyond the physical.” Enough to make Real Madrid dream.