Former Liverpool FC star Jamie Carragher criticised Erling Haaland in February after Manchester City lost at Tottenham, saying the striker joined the wrong club.

Erling Haaland has brushed off the high-profile criticism he received from Jamie Carragher last year, insisting he does not care what pundits say about him.

Haaland scored 54 goals in a record-breaking 2023, where he helped City win five titles including the Champions League and Club World Cup, setting numerous goalscoring records for the 2022/23 season and winning plenty of awards for his form. He came second to Lionel Messi at the Ballon d’Or ceremony and ends the year well-placed to win more titles and awards with City.

Early in the year, Haaland had one quiet game in a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham, with Sky Sports pundit Carragher suggesting after the game that the Norwegian had maybe joined the wrong club as he wasn’t always getting the service to score even more goals.

Reviewing his incredible 2023, Haaland has reflected on the comments from Carragher, saying he pays no attention to comments from pundits and critics.

Speaking to Nettavisen, Haaland said: “I decide little about what others think and write about me. I do not care much about that. I’m just trying to do my job, which is to help my team as best I can. Sometimes it’s scoring, and sometimes other things.”

Speaking about his 2023 highlights, Haaland picked out clashes with Manchester United and Liverpool as stand-out moments, as well as the Champions League final in Istanbul.

He said: “The fierce competition in the Premier League with so many good teams makes the league very special. Arsenal pushed us all the way. The atmosphere at Anfield. The Champions League anthem in Istanbul. I have always dreamed of that moment [winning the Champions League]. The derby matches against Manchester United. There are many highlights.”