Erling Haaland is one of the most exciting football players in the world today, known for his incredible scoring ability and athletic prowess. But there are plenty of surprising facts about him that even his biggest fans might not know.
Here are 13 fascinating facts about the Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland.
His Dream Clubs as a Child
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As a child, Haaland was a big fan of Leeds United and Manchester City, which makes sense since his father played for both clubs. He fulfilled one of his dreams when he signed with Manchester City in 2022.
Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, played professional football in England, while his mother, Gry Marita Braut, was a talented heptathlete. Clearly, sports run in the family.
Photo: Jose Breton- Pics Action / Shutterstock.com
Erling Haaland was born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, England. At the time, his father was playing professional football for Leeds United in the Premier League.
He made his senior debut at the age of 15.
Photo: Bryne FK
He made his senior debut at the age of 15, playing a full match for his hometown club, Bryne FK, against KFUM-Kameratene Oslo. Despite the team’s loss, his talent soon attracted the attention of Norway’s top club, Molde, then managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Extremely Fast
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Erling Haaland has been clocked at a top speed of 36.2 km/h, making him one of the fastest players in the world.
Idolizes Zlatan Ibrahimović
Photo: Jose Breton- Pics Action / Shutterstock.com
Haaland looks up to Zlatan Ibrahimović for his confidence, physicality, and ability to score spectacular goals. He has even called Zlatan a “football artist.”
Haaland practices meditation to stay mentally sharp and focused. He has even shared photos of himself meditating on social media.
Rap Music Fan
Photo: Private
Haaland is a big fan of rap music and was part of a rap group as a teenager with his friends. The group was called “Flow Kingz.”
Eats 6,000 Calories a Day
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Haaland’s extreme diet includes large amounts of meat, including liver and heart, which he refers to as “superfoods” for his muscles.
Celebrations with Dortmund Fans
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While playing for Borussia Dortmund, Haaland became known for his intense post-match celebrations, leading the club’s iconic “Südtribüne” (South Stand) in chants.
In 2006, Haaland set a world record in the standing long jump for five-year-olds, leaping 1.63 meters. The record still stands today.
Scored Nine Goals in One Match
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During the U20 World Cup in 2019, Haaland scored nine goals in Norway’s 12-0 victory over Honduras. This remains the highest goal tally ever by a single player in a U20 World Cup match.
Love for the Champions League Anthem
Photo: Gevorg Ghazaryan / Shutterstock.com
Haaland loves the Champions League anthem so much that he often hums it himself. He has even used it as his ringtone.
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