Haaland’s Take on American Cheerfulness
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It’s kind of funny when you think about Erling Haaland calling Americans “kind of cheerful.” Perhaps it’s just a nod to the American diet that allows him to maintain his 6,000-calorie daily intake, which I guess is a bit different from what you’d find in Europe.
Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and weighing 205 pounds, Haaland’s got this striking look—flowing blonde hair and an appetite for hefty meals like tomahawk steaks. He also drinks raw milk and, well, he scores goals like Pac-Man gobbles up dots.
Before Norway’s match in Dallas, he decided to shop for some cowboy boots. He even shared that little adventure on his YouTube channel as part of his strategy to make a name for himself in America, and honestly, it seems to be paying off.
Comparing him to a Viking feels a bit oversimplified, but hey, as long as Norwegian fans are cheering, it’s tough to avoid that image. It’s kind of hard to imagine a better representative for a country that hadn’t seen World Cup action since 1998 and, until recently, hadn’t won a match in the finals.
It’s all a bit amusing, isn’t it?
“I think it’s important to joke around,” Haaland said with a grin. “You all think you somehow ‘know’ me because I like to joke a bit and have fun. I believe a key part of my daily life is keeping it lighthearted while also training hard. We all need to enjoy the moment together.”
“Like participating in the World Cup, we’re just here to enjoy it. Nothing lasts forever, so let’s make the most of it while we’re around.”
There’s this sense of peace surrounding Norway during the World Cup. Haaland shrugged off the notion of beating France in the group stage, saying, “They’ll probably beat us; they might win the whole tournament”—a matter-of-fact thought. They’ve made it to the final eight, which is something.
Norway faced off against England and, frankly, Haaland doesn’t shy away from admitting things didn’t go as planned.
“There’s a clear frontrunner,” he acknowledged. “England is definitely one of them. I think everyone realizes that.” Not to add any extra pressure on the England side, of course.
Even after the English team tackled the mighty Aztecs and advanced past Mexico in a gripping Round of 16, it’s still possible to see them getting knocked out here. Why? Well, mostly because of Haaland. Some might say he’s the best player in the world, but what’s undeniable is his uniqueness in the game.
“Honestly, the hunger isn’t overwhelming,” said Norway’s coach, Starre Solbakken. “He’s hungry for goals, sure, but in a few training sessions, he hasn’t seemed that eager. I have to be upfront about it.”
This didn’t seem meant as a dig. When you look closely at Haaland, it starts to make sense. In a Round of 16 match against Brazil, it took him only 30 touches to score, quickly leaving an iconic mark on the game. Before he netted his first goal—thanks to a cross from Andreas Schjelderup—he appeared almost fatigued, yet suddenly turned into a powerhouse charging through the penalty area.
He has an impressive record, having played 198 games for Manchester City over four years, netting 162 goals. Last season, he scored 27 times in the Premier League, with an average of one every 110 minutes. During Norway’s undefeated World Cup qualifiers, he found the net every 44 minutes, hitting 16 goals in just eight games.
As of now, he’s on the brink of the Golden Boot, trailing only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
“Erling is Erling,” said Nico O’Reilly, his Manchester City teammate. “We all know his style—he’s a goal-scorer and a true threat in the box. They just need to get him the ball.”
