Erling Haaland & Lamine Yamal earn footballers ‘different animals’ praise from NFL superstar Garrett Wilson

The 24-year-old New York Jets wide receiver spoke about his love for soccer and how he grew up idolising Brazil icon Ronaldinho and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney. He also admitted that despite being an American Football star, he considers soccer the toughest sport on the planet. Among the current players, Wilson revealed the names of Haaland, Yamal and United's Garnacho, whom he admires.

Speaking to FIFA.com, Wilson said, "For me, it all started with Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho. Those are the two players I remember at a young age gravitating towards. And nowadays, I find myself really liking Erling Haaland and Alejandro Garnacho, who plays for United. And I know I said Haaland, who plays for Man City, but sometimes you root for the individuals.

"With soccer, I can really appreciate the crafts and everything that goes into it. In my opinion, it's the hardest sport, being that in tune and that coordinated with your feet. The guys that are great at it are the ones that I love. Seeing a guy like Lamine Yamal go out at that age [17] and play the EURO this past year, stuff like that is what I love to see. Greatness at all different levels."

When asked if he could have become a soccer star instead of pursuing American Football, Wilson added, "I don't want to discount anyone that's at that level because, being at the pro level of this sport, I know how much goes into it and how much things have to be on your side. But I like to think that if I really dedicated myself to it at the same age that I dedicated myself to football or basketball, I would have been able to get there.

But like I said, it's just such a hard sport and you have to be so skilled that I don't know. I think I'm playing the right sport now because those soccer players, they're different animals, truly."

Haaland will hope to get back to winning ways with Manchester City in the midweek as they take on Feyenoord on Tuesday night in the Champions League. Yamal, on the other hand, will aim to return to Hansi Flick's starting lineup in their midweek Champions League clash against Brest after missing the Celta clash due to injury.