Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland, known for high-scoring seasons and his flowing blond locks, has made a jarring change to his appearance that has sent the internet into a frenzy.
Haaland was the star player for the Norway’s team in the recent FIFA World Cup and plays as a striker for Manchester City in the Premier League. Over the past couple years his long hair — which he pulled back into a ponytail for games — has become iconic.
In a social media post on Sunday, Haaland shared with the world that not only had he cut off his long locks, but he had also completely buzzed his head.
He also posted a vlog on YouTube documenting the haircut. The video has garnered over 3.9 million views since it was posted on Sunday.
“This beautiful blond hair … time to let it go,” Haaland said in the video.
The haircut occurred the night before City’s first game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth on Sunday. Man City won the game 2-1, but Haaland did not score in his first game with the new hairstyle.
At the end of the video Haaland said: “Please let me know what you think about my new hairstyle. Should I regret? No, no regrets.”
In the YouTube video, Haaland video-called a number of people to get their reactions to his new look, including Swedish former soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, former Man City coach Pep Guardiola and teammate Jack Grealish.
“You look 17 years old,” Gallagher said when he first saw the new hairstyle. Multiple people in the video, including Haaland, joked about how young he looked.
Haaland’s popularity grew immensely during this summer’s World Cup where he led Norway with seven goals and helped the team get to the quarterfinals in its first World Cup since 1998.
The World Cup exposed Haaland to a new — and primarily North American — audience. During the tournament he gained 22 million Instagram followers, per The Athletic. He has become one of soccer’s most recognizable figures.
Haaland was a bit apprehensive about the haircut referencing that Ibrahimovic had warned him about cutting his hair. The Swedish striker was also known for his long flowing hair.
“Zlatan told me never cut your hair because your strength is in your hair,” Haaland said. “I’m a bit nervous.”
Haaland’s apprehension about Ibrahimovic was warranted as he didn’t have the most positive reaction to the haircut.
“You lost a bet or what? Block me and erase my number!” Ibrahimovic said.
In the YouTube video Haaland shared that he had been considering the haircut since the World Cup ended.
“I was thinking about doing it straight after the World Cup, but I was so busy so I didn’t do it. The season starts now so it’s time to get a fresh start,” Haaland said.
On Monday, Haaland shared more photos of the new cut.
World Cup stars in the premier league
Haaland is one of a number of World Cup stars who are playing in the Premier League this season.
The league’s season started on Friday and will run through May 30, 2027.
Here’s a list of some of the World Cup’s stand out players and what Premier League team they play for:
- Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez — Manchester United
- England’s Declan Rice — Arsenal
- Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes — Arsenal
- England’s Bukayo Saka — Arsenal
- Belgium’s Youri Tielemans — Manchester United
- Germany’s Florian Wirtz — Liverpool
- Norway’s Martin Odegaard — Arsenal
- England’s Elliot Anderson — Manchester City
- Spain’s Pedro Porro — Tottenham Hotspur
Fan reactions to Erling Haaland’s new haircut
Haaland’s freshly buzzed head has spurred a lot of reaction online. Here’s a look at what people are saying about the new hairstyle.