Although he will be England’s biggest obstacle in Miami on Saturday night, few opponents have a closer connection to the country than Erling Haaland.
The giant Norway star will be leading the line against his country of birth, at a World Cup where he has scored seven goals and dragged Norway to the quarter-finals.
Born in Leeds, west Yorkshire, inspired by his father’s playing career and now starring for Manchester City, England has played a defining role in Haaland’s story.
Haaland was born in Leeds in July 2000, following the end of the 1999-2000 season which was his father Alf-Inge Haaland’s final one at Elland Road.
Haaland Snr spent 10 years in England altogether; four seasons at Nottingham Forest and three each at Leeds United and Manchester City.
Haaland (centre – in an England shirt) was born in England but could knock them out of the World Cup this weekend with Norway
Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge (right), was playing for Leeds at the time of his son’s birth
Haaland is pictured as a child – decked out in his dad’s Manchester City kit
In an interview with Man City’s club website early last season, Haaland admitted he does feel English in some way, given his birth city.
He said: ‘When I signed for City, I said I feel a bit home. I remember I said that. So, yeah, I feel a bit at home now I’m living in UK and everything. And it was quite natural as well to move back here because my family had a great time in England.
‘My mum loves England. She loves the traditions and all of these things. My parents had a great time here before I was born and when I was born, and I’m having a great time now.’
Although he doesn’t remember going to matches to watch his father play, Haaland does recall the smaller moments before leaving England.
He told The Gentleman’s Journal: ‘I only sometimes get flashbacks from that period, when seeing pictures of my brother, my sister and myself on our way to school when we still lived in England.’
Despite Haaland’s affinity with England, though, playing for them was never an option – he says. There may be a hint of Mancunian in his accent, but it was always Norway for him.
The City striker said: ‘There was never a conversation about it because I was in Norway. In the end, it was never a discussion.’
Having spent 14 years of his life in Bryne compared to just under four in Leeds and Manchester, it was natural for Haaland to choose Norway over his birth country.
‘I always liked England because I feel like we are a bit the same – Norwegians and English people – so I always liked it, and I always enjoyed being here a lot. It’s just the vibe. I feel really calm and it’s difficult to explain why I like it. I feel it’s very similar to Norway in many ways.’
Following in his father’s footsteps, Haaland moved to Man City in 2022, making a £51.2 million move from Borussia Dortmund. After scoring 86 goals in 89 appearances for the German giants, expectations were high.
Although Haaland admitted there could be an adjustment period, he was never worried about adapting to English football in the long run.
‘We will see about settling in. People can take time, people can come directly into it. We have to see, but I’m not concerned,’ he said before the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
Any doubts were quickly put to bed. Two goals on his debut against West Ham were the first signs that England already felt like home.
He netted his first goal 36 minutes into his debut, coolly slotting the ball past Alphonse Areola. Haaland earned his brace just after the hour mark from the spot, making a statement to the rest of the division on the opening day of the Premier League season.
The 25-year-old has since gone from strength to strength, cementing himself as one of the best strikers on the planet. Haaland has already won nine trophies, including three domestic cups, two Premier Leagues and one Champions League.
As Norway prepare for their first-ever appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals, you can’t help but think what might have been
As Norway prepare for their first-ever appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals, you can’t help but think what might have been.
The Three Lions have missed out on many stars who picked other national teams over the years, such as Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Antoine Semenyo.
But the one player that poses the biggest ‘what if’ is the City striker. It would be a cruel irony if Haaland ends the Three Lions’ World Cup dream and breaks English hearts on Saturday.
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