THE "world's sexiest sprinter" Alicia Schmidt has challenged Erling Haaland to a race, claiming she can run rings around him.
Haaland's explosiveness and power is part of what allowed him to hit 52 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions last season.
Haaland's top speed has been clocked by experts at 22.5 miles per hour.
But German runner Schmidt has claimed that's no match for her – with the 400m runner saying she'd have the better of Haaland on the track.
Schmidt's 400m record sees her run the race in less than 55 seconds.
Her idea for a race with Haaland came when she was answering media questions on 21st August at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
Spanish FA president slammed for ‘grabbing & kissing’ World Cup star
Get £45 FREE BETS when you stake £10 on any Ebor York Festival race with Paddy Power
Norwegian daily Dagbladet asked whether she could beat the country's favourite star Haaland in a running competition.
Schmidt thought for a second and then said: "Hmm, I don't know – maybe. I think, on 400 metres, yes. On 200 metres, it would be more difficult."
And she added: "But I would be happy if the race takes place."
Asked when the race could happen she said: "I don't know, I have to ask him. But I'm always ready."
Most read in Football
Top stars speak after Mason Greenwood DUMPED from Man Utd & transfer in doubt
World Cup hero Georgia Stanway breaks silence on FA airport blunder
Doku undergoes Man City medical, Real Madrid 'prepare late Mbappe bid'
Date set for £6bn Qatari takeover of Man Utd with announcement coming soon
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Then Alica turned to the cameras to say: "So, Haaland, if you're ready to race, I would be happy. Let's see who's faster!"
It would not be the first time Alica has taken on a professional footballer.
Two years ago, the track star – who has more than four million Instagram followers – thrashed Haaland's old Borussia Dortmund team-mate Mats Hummels.
The centre-back – who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany – dropped to the floor after the 400-metre dash on a track in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Struggling to catch his breath, the Bundesliga star – who is now 34 – admitted: "Oh my God, this was the worst thing I ever did."
Hummels added: "I'm so glad I chose football. You make it look so easy."
Alica captioned the YouTube video: "I met with the soccer world champion from 2014 Mats Hummels in Dortmund for a very exciting event."
She added: "It was about who of us can sprint faster over the 400 meters. And it turned out to be one of the most exciting challenges of the year for me and for Mats!"
Alica has always dismissed claims that the fuss about her looks would distract her from competing on the track.
Read More on The Sun
Vet reveals three dog toys all pet owners should never buy
Millions of households can apply for energy bill support worth £600 in weeks
Asked by German broadcaster Sport1 whether she was ever struggling to concentrate on running due to the enormous social media hype, she said: "Not at all. I focus on my sport.
"I know what I'm capable of. I work hard and do everything I can to achieve the best possible results."
Source: Read Full Article