'How strong is he?' - Erling Haaland reveals truth about facing Super Eagles star Calvin Bassey

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has paid tribute to Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, describing their physical encounters as among the toughest he's faced in the Premier League.

The Norwegian goal machine, known for overpowering defenders with ease, offered rare praise for the Fulham center-back while reflecting on their thrilling 5-4 clash earlier this season, a match that also featured Nigeria internationals Alex Iwobi and substitute Samuel Chukwueze.

"Playing against Fulham, it's a top team. Look at the game, it's 5-4 in the end, incredible," Haaland said in an Instagram video.

"You play against Bassey, which is how strong is he, you know, and Anderson is huge. The physicality is so intense and it's difficult."

Haaland's acknowledgment carries considerable weight. The prolific striker rarely admits to being challenged physically, making his comments about Bassey particularly noteworthy.

The 25-year-old defender has emerged as one of the Premier League's most formidable defensive forces since joining Fulham, combining exceptional strength with pace and tactical awareness.

"Every game has its own challenges, you have your plan and everything, but the physicality demands so much," Haaland added, noting the grueling nature of competing across multiple competitions including the Champions League and domestic cups.

Bassey's reputation has soared beyond England's shores. Currently representing Nigeria at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, he's proving instrumental as the Super Eagles look to navigate the tournament's knockout stages.

His ability to neutralise elite attackers has made him arguably Nigeria's most valuable and reliable defensive asset at the moment.

For African football observers, Haaland's words validate what many have witnessed, that Bassey possesses the rare attributes needed to contain world-class forwards.

As the Super Eagles continue their AFCON 2025 campaign against Mozambique on Monday, opposing strikers are discovering what the Premier League's most lethal finisher already knows: matching Bassey's intensity is no simple task.