In 2020, when Gareth Southgate was asked if there had ever been a chance Erling Haaland might represent England, the then-England manager dismissed the idea. He said players at Haaland’s level are usually decisive about their national allegiance and that should be respected.
Haaland was born in Leeds in 2000, when his father, Alf-Inge, had just moved from Leeds United to Manchester City. The family relocated to Bryne, Norway, three years later after Alf-Inge retired due to injury.
Spotted early as a standout talent, Haaland rose quickly through Bryne’s youth ranks before joining Molde in 2017 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Solskjaer helped shape him into a formidable striker and has often praised him since, lamenting that he couldn’t bring him to Manchester United after taking charge there.
A prolific spell at Red Bull Salzburg drew widespread attention, and his time at Borussia Dortmund—where he grew close to England’s Jude Bellingham—propelled him onto the global stage.
He signed for Manchester City in 2022, a move many saw as a natural fit given his family history and affection for English football.
Despite his rapid rise, Haaland frequently returns to Norway and owns several homes there. Norwegian journalist Andreas Korssund told BBC Sport that, despite his stardom, Haaland remains grounded: he regularly visits his small hometown in Rogaland, takes pride in his roots, and is consistently available to Norwegian media when on national duty.
Haaland has spoken about wanting to run a farm in Norway after he retires and is often seen out and about in Oslo, where he has an apartment.
He has embraced Norway’s Viking heritage and takes great pride in representing his country—famously leading the Viking Row celebration after a win over Brazil.
His national-team shirt bears “Braut Haaland,” combining his mother’s maiden name, Braut, with his father’s surname, in line with Norwegian tradition.
“Haaland means everything to Norway,” Korssund says, noting that for a nation of just over 5.5 million to produce one of the world’s elite footballers is extraordinary.