9 things to know about Erling Haaland

Manchester City star Erling Haaland has been in red-hot form for the Norway national football team, with the speedy, powerful forward set on dragging his side to the 2026 World Cup Finals.

Norway are currently top of Group I with a perfect record of five wins in as many games (15 points), ahead of Italy and Israel (both nine), Estonia (three) and Moldova (zero).

Haaland leads the overall scoring charts with nine goals and with the 25-year-old striker on fire, Norway look set to return to the Finals for the first time since 1998.

Victory over Israel on Oct 11, along with a slip-up by Italy, could see Landslaget book their spot with two games to spare.

Here are nine facts about Haaland that you should know.

1. 5-year-old world record breaker

Breaking records is clearly not a new concept to Haaland. International Age Records show that the Norway striker set a new world record for the longest standing broad jump for a five-year-old on Jan 22, 2006, leaping 1.63 metres. The record still stands, and it is an early display of Haaland’s remarkable explosive power and athletic prowess.

2. He comes from a sporting family

Haaland hails from a family of athletes. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played professional football for several clubs, including Manchester City and Leeds United, while his mother, Gry Marita Braut, was a heptathlete champion in the 1990s.

3. A multi-sport childhood

Growing up, Haaland’s father introduced him to many sports including handball, cross-country skiing and athletics until he turned 14. His father told the Manchester City website: “Versatility is important. You get to develop completely different sides of the body, and that can be positive no matter what you do.”

4. He could have played for the Three Lions

Haaland was born in Leeds on July 21, 2000, while his father was playing for Leeds United. As he was born in England, he was eligible to play for the English national team. However, in a 2023 interview with news outlet Goal, Haaland said that it was natural for him to choose to represent Norway. “I’m Norwegian and I’m proud of it”, he said.

5. Almost a Red Devil, twice

Erling Haaland could have had a much different career path, playing for Manchester City rivals United, if the club had chosen to sign him.

In 2018, former Manchester United player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - who Haaland’s manager for two seasons at Molde - alerted United to the latter’s abilities but they said no. Shortly after, when Solskjaer took on the role of caretaker manager for the club, he again urged United to sign Haaland for €20 million (S$30.1 million), but they decided not to go for it.

Haaland went on to Dortmund before moving to City in 2022, where he has since become a key man for the 10-time league champions.

6. Haaland the rapper

Haaland was part of a rap group called the Flow Kingz before he left Norway to play in Austria at Red Bull Salzburg. Other members of the group included fellow Norway players Erik Tobias Sandberg and Erik Botheim. The YouTube video for their song, Kygo jo, has over 10 million views.

7. Waking up to the sound of champions

At one stage, Haaland’s alarm tone was the Champions League anthem. According to Manchester City’s website, he revealed in 2019 that “I wake up to it every day - it’s the last song I’m tired of”, adding that he would “always get a perfect start to the day”.

8. Haaland (Ha Ha Ha)

The Norwegian striker has a song written about him, titled Haaland (Ha Ha Ha), by CTID, a musical group comprising Manchester City fans. The song celebrates his journey to success, and its lyrics include “He’s a blue just like his dad”.

9. How he celebrates a goal

Haaland’s goal celebration is the Lotus pose - a tribute to his practice of yoga and meditation. He has used this celebration since his days at Red Bull Salzburg and it has followed him to Dortmund, and Manchester City. In a March 2020 interview with Esporte Interativo, Haaland explained that “I really enjoy meditation”, adding that “it makes me feel calm and gives me tranquility”.