From the BZ editorial team
That would be an exciting duel! The German athlete Alica Schmidt (24), who has been training at SCC Berlin since 2019, would like to compete in a running duel against top striker Erling Haaland (23 / Manchester City)!
When she was available for questions after Sunday’s relay race, Schmidt by the Norwegian tabloid Dagbladet with a special question: “Would you Erling Haaland beat in a 400-meter dash?”
“Oooh, I don’t know,” says the athlete, who has over 4 million followers on social media. “I think I would win over 400 meters. But over 200 meters it would probably be more difficult.”
When asked if she actually believed in a duel with the former BVB striker, Schmidt replied: “I don’t know. Maybe I need to send Erling an invitation. I am always ready.”
Erling Haaland played for Borussia Dortmund until 2022, then switched to Manchester City (Nick Potts/PA via AP) Photo: picture alliance
It is then suggested to her to extend the invitation now. Schmidt confident: “Haaland, if you are ready to compete against me, I would like to see who is the fastest of us.”
Haaland and the sprinter have already met. In the 2020/21 Bundesliga season, Schmidt was active as a fitness trainer at BVB, during which time the 1.95 meter Norwegian was chasing goals for Dortmund.
A running duel against a footballer is not unusual for the 24-year-old. Three years ago, Alica Schmidt challenged BVB defender and world champion Mats Hummels – and won. “It was a great race and I’m glad I beat him,” Schmidt recalled to Dagbladet.