Michu: What happened to the Swansea striker who Erling Haaland idolised? | OneFootball

It’s been a decade since Swansea City took a £2.3 million punt on a little-known Spanish forward from Rayo Vallecano named Michu.

The 25-year-old might not have arrived in Wales with the biggest reputation, but his name was quickly on the lips of fans around Europe as he became an instant hit for his new side.

Michu scored twice on his Swans debut in a 5-0 demolition of Queens Park Rangers and never looked back.

Rattling in goals for fun throughout the 2012/13 season, the fan favourite hit a total of 22 goals in 43 games in his opening campaign with the club, even helping Swansea to lift the League Cup.

Naturally, Michu was on the scoresheet as they thrashed Bradford 5-0 in the final.

The prolific frontman was rewarded for his outstanding form when he picked up the club’s Player of the Season and the Supporters’ Player of the Year awards.

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International recognition soon followed, as he earned a call-up for Spain, ultimately securing his sole cap during a 2-1 win over Belarus in October 2013.

You can relieve Michu’s electric debut season below.

Watch: Michu takes the Premier League by storm in 2012/13

It wasn’t just Swansea fans who adored the English top-flight’s latest goalscoring sensation, though.

Michu’s unlikely rise to Premier League prominence also appealed to young fans around the world, including a certain Erling Braut Haaland.

Why did Erling Haaland idolise Michu?

Manchester City’s Haaland, now the second most valuable player in the world at £135m (per Transfermarkt), tagged himself as Michu in several Instagram posts during his youth.

Later, having turned professional, he admitted that the striker had been a massive influence on him, stating: “Michu. I loved watching him at Swansea. He played with his left foot, he was tall and a clinical finisher.

“I have always liked to see other strikers do well. That’s probably why I’ve always liked to be sharp. That is why I liked Michu so much.

“A forward in the flow zone, there is nothing better than looking at this. I have always enjoyed watching him. Simply my whole life,” said Haaland, per One Football in 2020.

Haaland then went on to pay a very public tribute to Michu after scoring for Norway in September of the same year, adopting the former Swansea’s man’s trademark hand celebration.

What is Michu doing now?

After his blistering debut season, things quickly went sour for Michu at Swansea. Troubled by injuries, he scored just twice in 17 Premier League outings during his second campaign for the Swans.

A loan to Napoli followed, where he played on only six occasions before he was released by Swansea in September 2015.

Michu then spent the next couple of years plying his trade in the lower reaches of Spanish football. Ankle problems would prompt him to call time on his career in 2017 – at only 31 years old.

Still involved in the game today, Michu currently serves as the sporting director for Spanish Segunda Division outfit, Burgos.

He’s also developed a friendship with Haaland over the years, which even reportedly saw the Norwegian superstar ask Michu for advice shortly before he decided to make the move to the Premier League with City.

Michu’s debut season is still fondly remembered 10 years later. Haaland will be hoping he can make a similar impression on the English top-flight in 2022/23.