'Haaland came to me and asked for Photo': Punjab FC striker Mushaga Bakenga shares Erling Haaland Anecdote

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Punjab FC striker Mushaga Bakenga has shared a special anecdote with Manchester City star Erling Haaland on Wednesday (September 4).

Punjab has roped in Bakenga for this ISL season. The 32-year-old Norway international joined the club from Apollon Limassol and has previously played for clubs like Club Brugge in Belgium, and Rosenborg, Molde, Tromso and Stabaek in Norway.

Bakenga, during the ISL press meet in Kolkata on Wednesday, opened up on his relationship with Manchester City's Erling Haaland.

This will be Bakenga's first season in India. And the player says the preparation and adaptation to the weather conditions have been his biggest challenge so far. Having admitted the tough conditions, the former Tromso striker asserted his clinical nature of play, which he depicted as 'Haaland Tactics'.

"I will bring the haaland tactics. You will not see me for 70 minutes and then I am there. This is what we Norwegians were taught as youngsters. You will see some games where I am very visible, but some games where I am invisible but I score three goals," Bakenga said.

When asked about if he had any interaction with Erling Haaland, the player shared a special anecdote. The former Borussia Dortmund striker once met him and asked for a photo, not just that, Haaland also was influenced by Bakenga's movement and goal-scoring abilities.

"Norway is a small country. The last time I had a long conversation with Erling Haaland, he came to me and asked me for a picture. He was 17 years old and talked about how he used to see my clips and how I scored goals. Then two years later, I want to reach him but I can't get his number. Things change," Bakenga added with a smile on his face.

The Norwegian will have huge responsibility on his shoulders as Punjab FC look to make a better bid for the ISL playoffs this season.