When Gianluigi Donnarumma, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, speaks about who has the most powerful shot in football, people listen. In a recent interview, the Paris Saint-Germain and Italy star opened up about the challenges of facing the game’s elite forwards — and without hesitation, he named Erling Haaland as the player with the hardest and most dangerous shot he has ever faced.
“I think Erling [Haaland] does,” Donnarumma said when asked who hits the ball the hardest. “He is left-footed, so he is different from Kylian [Mbappe]. They are both hard to play against. So it’s complicated. But I would rather have Erling playing for my side.”
A Clash of Modern Titans: Haaland vs. Mbappé
The comparison between Haaland and Mbappé has dominated football discussions for years. Many view them as the natural successors to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — two generational talents set to carry the sport into a new era. Mbappé dazzles with pace, flair, and technical brilliance, while Haaland strikes fear into defenders with his explosive strength and ruthless finishing.
Donnarumma’s remarks highlight the contrasting styles of these two stars. “He is left-footed, so he’s different,” Donnarumma said of Haaland, acknowledging how the Manchester City striker’s unusual shooting angles and raw power make him unpredictable. When Haaland takes a shot, it’s often a rocket — a combination of speed and force that few goalkeepers can react to in time.
Meanwhile, Mbappé’s shots may not always carry the same thunderous impact, but his clinical precision and ability to change direction in an instant make him equally dangerous in one-on-one situations. “They are both hard to play against,” Donnarumma admitted, summarizing the dilemma every goalkeeper faces when standing across from such world-class attackers.
Haaland’s Shot Power: The Nightmare of Goalkeepers
Since joining Manchester City, Haaland’s finishing ability has been the stuff of legend. Goalkeepers around Europe have repeatedly described his strikes as “impossible to read” and “devastating.” In training videos and match footage, his shots regularly exceed 120 km/h — a terrifying prospect for any goalkeeper.
Donnarumma, known for his composure under pressure, seems to have immense respect for Haaland’s physicality. “He is a machine,” the Italian once said in a previous interview about Haaland. That mechanical precision, combined with a relentless drive to score, makes the Norwegian a once-in-a-generation striker.
A Dream Partnership?
When Donnarumma mentioned that he would rather have Haaland “playing for my side,” fans immediately began imagining what a PSG team featuring both Mbappé and Haaland would look like. The idea of those two explosive forwards linking up — with Donnarumma guarding the goal — feels like something straight out of a football fantasy.
In fact, rumors of PSG’s past interest in Haaland have circulated for years. With Mbappé’s contract situation at PSG constantly making headlines, it’s not hard to see why Donnarumma might be thinking about the benefits of having someone like Haaland in his corner instead of against him.
The Final Word
For Donnarumma, facing both Mbappé and Haaland has provided a unique perspective on what makes a truly world-class attacker. His answer was both diplomatic and revealing — acknowledging the immense skill of his PSG teammate while also admitting that Haaland’s power gives him nightmares between the posts.
“I’d rather have Erling on my side,” he said with a smile — a statement that perfectly captures the respect and fear Haaland commands across world football.
Whether you prefer Mbappé’s magic or Haaland’s brute force, one thing is certain: the era of these two modern superstars has only just begun, and Gianluigi Donnarumma has had the best (and worst) seat in the house to witness it firsthand.
