Why everyone loves Erling Haaland, Norway’s giant blonde striker
After Spain edged past Belgium in dramatic fashion yesterday, we have not one but two quarterfinal matches today.
First, England will look to end Norway’s fairytale run at this World Cup in a match that pits two of the best strikers in the world against each other – Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
Then, after a short break, the action gets back underway with Lionel Messi’s Argentina facing Switzerland. The prize for both matches is the same: a spot in Wednesday’s semifinal.
But before we get into all of that, it’s my honor to speak more about my favorite soccer player on the planet.
The Main Thing: Why the world has fallen in love with Erling Haaland
Norway’s forward Erling Braut Haaland plays the drum as Norway celebrates winning against Brazil at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5.
Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images
He’s just everywhere, isn’t he? You can’t go anywhere on the internet without seeing a reel or meme with Erling Haaland’s face plastered all over it.
Whether it’s him buying cowboy hats in Texas, pranking people into thinking he isn’t a soccer superstar or just documenting his daily life on social media, Haaland’s personality has struck a chord with the general public, and he’s already the unofficial star of the World Cup.
Let’s quickly deal with what he’s done on the pitch so far. Haaland has scored five goals and fired Norway into the quarterfinals against England. Even if he loses today, the 25-year-old has led the team to levels that few could have ever imagined.
But he has such raw ability that even those without an interest in soccer can see he’s something different and someone a little special. There is just a simplicity to everything he does on and off the pitch that makes him strangely relatable and real.
It’s a testament to his global appeal that I’m sure you’ll have had conversations about Haaland no matter where you are in the world, even with people you didn’t think cared about this World Cup. Even my sister-in-law from Ireland, who has no interest in soccer, seems obsessed.
“I don’t like football but seeing the giant blonde man bulldoze through defenders and nonchalantly score goals is great entertainment,” she texted the other day, capturing the raw energy that makes him so popular.
Why the internet loves football star Erling Haaland
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Before the rest of the world fell in love with Haaland, those who follow soccer closely had already enjoyed years of entertainment.
He first started drawing eyeballs after smashing defenses and scoring a bag full of goals in the Champions League. But it was also his post-match interviews that became such a joy to watch – just so honest, so real and ultimately so funny.
Then, as he moved up the ranks, we’ve learned more about his life and fallen further in love with maybe the most likeable superstar in soccer. Whether it’s his long-term relationship with his partner, his own YouTube channel, his love for drinking raw milk, his appetite for eating kebab pizzas, his stint making his own rap video or his ability to wind up opponents like no one else can.
Even now, after years of media training, he’s often got a wicked line up his sleeve. After all, he’s spent the last few days urging the British media to put more pressure on the England team, doing so with that trademark grin and glint in his eye.
That maverick attitude is something he’s translated onto the pitch at this World Cup, and any pitch he steps onto, to be honest. His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.
He is a true professional and dedicates his life to getting better. And while he’s quick to laugh and make a joke, there is a real steeliness to his game. Whatever he says, he knows he has the ability to take Norway into the semifinals, and he’ll be willing to run through a brick wall to make that happen.
England will have spent the last week trying to build that wall strong enough to stop him.
