More Than Just a Goal Machine: 10 Fun Facts About Erling Haaland That Might Surprise You

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably seen Erling Haaland's name all over your social media feed lately. With Norway set to play in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time this Sunday, the goal-scoring Viking has become the player everyone seems to be talking about, even those who don't usually watch football.

If you're curious about the man behind all the hype, you've come to the right place! Here are 10 things you might not know about the Manchester City star.

1. Sports has been in his genes since birth

Image Credit: Daily Mail, Soka54

Some people are simply born for sport, and Erling Haaland is a pretty good example. Before he was smashing goal-scoring records, athleticism already ran in his family.

His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, had a successful career as a professional footballer and represented clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Manchester City. In August 2003, Alf-Inge retired at the age of 30 after suffering a severe and persistent knee injury. Following his retirement, he became a property developer in Norway.

Meanwhile, Erling's mother, Gry Marita Braut, was an elite track-and-field athlete and the Norwegian heptathlon champion during the 1990s.

Fun fact: Erling honoured both of his parents by wearing "Braut Haaland" on the back of his shirt during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

2. He once scored 9 goals in one match

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Before his World Cup debut, Haaland had already made headlines when he scored an astonishing nine goals in a single match against Honduras. The record-breaking feat came in 2019 during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland. Norway also scored three other goals in the match, securing a 12-0 victory.

3. He broke a world record at just 5 years old

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Breaking records is nothing new for Erling Haaland, he started doing it when he was just five years old. On 22 January 2006, he reportedly set a world record for the longest standing broad jump by a five-year-old, leaping an astonishing 1.63 metres.

4. He and his girlfriend met while playing for the same youth team

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Although Erling Haaland may be one of the world's most talked-about footballers, he is incredibly private when it comes to his relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen.

The pair reportedly met as children and played football for the same youth team. It wasn't until 2021 that they were publicly linked. According to reports, Isabel initiated their first contact by sliding into his Instagram DMs.

5. He has a son born in 2024

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As mentioned earlier, Erling Haaland is a private person when it comes to his personal life. So, fans were surprised when he posted a photo in October 2024 showing himself with a fake pregnancy belly, accompanied by the caption: "baby soon."

In December that year, it was reported that the footballer and his girlfriend had welcomed a baby boy, although the couple have not publicly revealed his name or shared photos of his face.

6. He could have represented England at the World Cup

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There's no denying Erling Haaland's power and skill on the pitch, but did you know the Norwegian superstar could have represented another country instead of Norway at the World Cup?

Haaland was born in Leeds, England, while his father was playing in the Premier League for Leeds United. That made him eligible to represent England under FIFA rules. However, Haaland has said that representing Norway was a natural choice and that he is proud to be Norwegian.

7. He broke the Premier League single-season scoring record

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During his first Premier League season, Erling Haaland scored 36 league goals, breaking the record for the most goals in a single Premier League campaign.

The previous records were held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer, who each scored 34 goals in 42-game seasons. Mohamed Salah also set the record for a 38-game season with 32 goals. Haaland surpassed them all.

8. He became the fastest player to reach 50 Champions League goals

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The Champions League is widely regarded as the most difficult club competition in the world. The tournament brings together some of the game's best players, defenders and coaches, making it one of the most demanding competitions in football.

But Haaland made it look easy. In just 49 matches, he became the fastest player in UEFA Champions League history to reach 50 goals, further cementing his status as one of the competition's most prolific goalscorers.

9. His daily routine is almost as famous as he is

Image Credit: NY Times

Standing 195cm tall and weighing approximately 94kg, Haaland possesses one of the most impressive physiques in football today. Yet his powerful frame isn't simply the result of genetics, it's also maintained through a disciplined daily routine.

He reportedly consumes around 6,000 calories a day. His diet is said to include raw milk and nutrient-rich organ meats such as cow's heart and liver. He also performs 1,000 sit-ups daily, takes ice baths and regularly uses the sauna.

The Norwegian striker takes sleep seriously as well, reportedly wearing blue-light-blocking glasses to reduce artificial light exposure and even taping his mouth shut while sleeping to encourage nasal breathing.

10. He planned to retire early and live on a small farm

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Haaland may only be 25 and at the peak of his career, but he already has plans for life after football.

In an interview, the Manchester City striker said he dreams of becoming a farmer in his hometown of Bryne, Norway. According to Haaland, he hopes to buy a small farm where he can own a tractor, raise animals and take care of his cows.

As if scoring goals for fun wasn't enough, Haaland also has his own YouTube channel where he shares snippets of his life away from football. From training and travel to funny moments behind the scenes, it's a rare look at the man behind one of the world's biggest football stars. Turns out, he's pretty entertaining off the pitch too.

Featured Image Credit: BBC, NST