From K-pop and Minecraft to influencer hydration drinks, rising Norwegian football star Erling Braut Haaland made numerous public appearances that captured diverse audiences from all over the world. Haaland has gained much recognition as the icons of football are inching closer to retirement and the industry is yearning to place bets on the next big name in the sport. An overview of Erling's record-breaking career highlights his role in the future of the sport and our media.
Despite being Norwegian, Erling Haaland was born in Leeds, England, as his father, a former footballer, was playing for Leeds United at the time. After moving back to his parents' hometown in Bryne, Norway, Haaland joined the town's football club — Bryne Fotballklubb — at the age of five. In less than 11 years, Haaland impressed his club with 18 goals in 14 matches, which later led to him starting his training in Bryne FK after his youth coach took over as the Bryne FK caretaker manager. At just 16 years old, Haaland transferred to Molde FK, another football club in Norway, currently evaluated at seven times the market price of Bryne FK, which was a big step for teenage Haaland.
During his time at Molde, Haaland played as a substitute, ending the 2017 season with four goals in 20 appearances. In the following season, however, Haaland scored the only four goals in the match in just the first 21 minutes against Brann, who were unbeaten in the league until Erling's appearance. A little over a month later, Haaland transferred to Red Bull Salzburg, an Austrian club. His move to Salzburg marked the beginning of his journey into top-level European football. He made an immediate impact, scoring goals consistently and impressing audiences in domestic competitions and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League.
Haaland's rise to stardom reached its zenith when he joined Borussia Dortmund in January 2020. His Bundesliga debut for Dortmund was nothing short of spectacular, as he scored a hat-trick within 23 minutes and instantly became a fan favorite. His goal-scoring prowess continued, making him one of the most sought-after talents in European football.
In May 2022, Haaland made a high-profile move to Premier League giants Manchester City, breaking records and setting new milestones in England. He secured the Premier League Golden Boot, the European Golden Shoe, and the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot in a single season, making history along the way. As he is entering his second season in England, Haaland is continuing to shine, setting records for goal contributions and earning accolades such as the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Players' Player of the Year and the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.
As the football world eagerly watches his continued rise, Erling Haaland stands as one of the brightest stars in the sport, with the potential to redefine the future of football. Haaland is one of the best football players in the world right now as ranked by many alongside Mbappe, Messi, and Ronaldo; Haaland's sudden barrage of media and internet appearances are no coincidence. As we spectate the twilight of our former stars' careers outside of Europe, we are witnessing the birth of a new White Giant.