To most football fans, Erling Haaland, the son of Alf-Inge and Gry Marita Braut, is seen as a quintessential Norwegian player. However, not many know that Erling was actually born in England, specifically in Leeds, while his father was playing for Leeds United in the Premier League in the year 2000. This article delves into the lesser-known aspects of his life, exploring his early years and upbringing in Bryne, Norway. At just four years old, Erling’s family moved back to their ancestral home, setting the stage for his future in football.
We’ll explore why the Haaland family had to relocate after a pivotal moment in Erling’s father’s career—when Roy Keane infamously injured Alf-Inge Haaland’s leg. The article also covers how Erling’s football journey began and how he, with his mother’s sporting genes, excelled in various other sports, including handball, golf, and track and field. Notably, we’ll highlight how, at just five years old, Erling set a world record for the standing long jump in his age category, achieving an impressive 1.63 meters in 2006.
In a nutshell, this article offers a comprehensive look at Erling Haaland’s life that goes beyond the goal highlights you might find on YouTube. We’ll dive into his childhood experiences and explore details about his family, including his siblings—brother Astor and sister Gabrielle—as well as his cousin Albert Tjaaland, who once scored 69 goals in 48 games for his club. Additionally, we’ll cover Haaland’s grandparents, his workout routine, lifestyle, and personality. Now, let’s delve into the core of Erling Haaland’s story.
Preamble:
We aim to spark your interest with Erling Haaland’s biography by offering an engaging read. To start, we present a gallery showcasing the Norwegian football star’s early life and rise to prominence. Erling Haaland, a football legend, has had an extraordinary journey, and we’re excited to share the highlights of his remarkable path with you.
We both know Erling Haaland is a bit unconventional, but he’s undeniably a prolific goalscorer and one of the best centre-forwards in the world. While he’s earned numerous accolades, many fans haven’t had a chance to explore a succinct version of his biography. We’ve crafted this for you, out of our passion for football. So, without further delay, let’s dive in.
Erling Haaland Childhood Story:
To start with his biography, Erling Haaland is often known by the nicknames “Manchild” and “Big Earl.” He was born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, to his mother, Gry Marita Braut, and his father, Alf-Inge Håland.
Erling Haaland was the youngest of three children born to his parents, Alf-Inge and Gry Marita. The family was living in England at the time of his birth in 2000, as Alf-Inge was playing for Leeds United in the English football league.
Early Life and Growing-Up Years:
For Erling, having a caring big brother in Astor brought so many boyhood emotions. This he now bundles into a perfect childhood memory.
You might wonder why he wore a Man City jersey. It is because his Dad, Alf-Inge Rasdal Håland, played for that club between the years 2000 to 2003.
Erling Haaland didn’t just have his older brother, Astor; he also grew up with an elder sister, Gabrielle Haaland. As a child, Erling was full of energy and constantly smiling, creating a joyful sibling dynamic with Astor and Gabrielle. His beaming grin often brings back fond memories of those wonderful early days spent with his siblings.
In the year 2004, after a family disaster (explained below), Erling Haaland’s family left England. At the age of three, Erling’s family moved back to their hometown of Bryne, Norway, where he spent the rest of his childhood.
Growing up in Bryne, the young Haaland was known for his energetic and fun-loving nature, spending countless hours playing football with his friends. In addition, the young football enthusiast had interests in varied physical activities, including golf, athletics and handball.
Erling Haaland Family Background:
The Norwegian hails from a household that lives and breathes sports. Erling Haaland’s sports genes are very good as both his parents were active in athletics. In addition, he receives very good advice and follow-up from the family.
Erling Haaland is the son of ex-Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Manchester City footballer Alf-Inge Rasdal Håland. Here is a photo of his Dad during his good old playing days with the English clubs.
The playing position of Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Rasdal Håland, is both in defence and midfield. Shuttling between the middle and back, Haaland’s Dad scored some beautiful goals during his impressive football career.
On the other hand, Erling Haaland’s mother, Gry Marita Braut, was a former heptathlete. To aid your understanding, the name of her sport is called Heptathlon.
It is a competition for women in which each athlete competes in seven different track and field combined events. Without a doubt, Erling Haaland’s mum – Gry Marita – is responsible for most of Erling’s hidden sports genes.
What happened between Erling Haaland’s Dad and Roy Keane Story – A Tragic Story:
Football experts describe the incident as a brutal physical attack. To this day, Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, has yet to forgive Roy Keane for the devastating tackle.
In the aftermath, Roy Keane couldn’t even bring himself to face Alf-Inge Haaland. Sadly, this act of vengeance not only cut short Alf-Inge’s football career but also led to the Haaland family’s move back to Norway.
For many members of Erling Haaland’s family and friends, Roy Keane remains the reason why they dislike Manchester United. Also, whenever Roy Keane appears on TV as a football pundit, they reach for their remote control to change the TV channel.
Erling Haaland Family Origin:
The Norwegian is of white ethnicity and has his ancestral roots in Bryne, a small town located in Rogaland County, Norway.
Though born in England, Erling was raised in Bryne, where his family comes from.
Following Roy Keane’s brutal tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland, the resulting broken leg caused ongoing torment, ultimately forcing Alf-Inge to retire from football. The end of his career meant that Erling Haaland’s family had to leave England permanently.
In 2004, when Erling was just three years old, the family relocated to Bryne, their hometown in Norway. With a population of only 12,000, Bryne is renowned for its football culture.
Here, Alf-Inge started shaping his son’s future. Despite the pain from his injury and the abrupt end to his own career—thanks to Roy Keane—Alf-Inge channelled his energy into ensuring that Erling would fulfil the footballing dreams of the Haaland family.
Erling Haaland Education:
When Erling Haaland reached school age, his father, Alf-Inge, enrolled him in a sports academy that suited his interests. In 2006, at just five years old, Erling joined Bryne Fotballklubb, where he received excellent sports training.
In addition to football, young Erling showed interest in various other sports. Like his mother, he participated in handball, golf, and track and field. He even took part in heptathlon events while pursuing his passion for football.
Did you know? At the age of six, Erling Haaland set a world record for the standing long jump in his age category. In 2006, he amazed everyone by jumping 1.63 meters, surpassing all other kids worldwide.
Erling Haaland Biography – Untold Career Story:
After a successful trial, young Erling was enrolled at Bryne FK, an indoor football academy in his hometown. At just six years old, he decided to focus solely on football. His parents chose Bryne FK for him, partly because his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, had started his own football journey there.
In an interview with Goal, Erling Haaland’s first coach, Alf Ingve Berntsen, shared his impressions of the young player’s early talent. He recalled:
“I saw Erling for the first time during our indoor training sessions. His first two touches resulted in goals.
Because he was so much better than the rest, we quickly moved him up to play with older boys.”
Haaland’s football journey began with exceptional promise. He was a rare talent, excelling in three key areas with remarkable precision.
First, he smiled the most (all the time); secondly, he did the most exercise, and thirdly (most importantly), he scored the most goals. Here is pictorial evidence of his smile.
Some say Erling was small in stature when he was a boy, but actually, he was not. The Lad was normally tall for his age, though one year younger than the others.
Advancing through the FC Bryne age ranks, Erling developed into some sort of precocious whiz kid. His unrivalled football prowess made him become so ruthless in front of goal.
Erling as a boy was quite similar to who he is today: He smiles a lot, trains a lot and scores a lot. He also developed his strange character.
Learning to score by himself and not entirely from his Father:
In a surprising revelation from his childhood interview, Erling Haaland mentioned that he learned how to score goals not from his father, but through his own efforts.
During this period, he started to envision himself as one of Norway’s top footballers. At Bryne, Haaland became renowned for his exceptional shooting and finishing skills, which earned him a spot on the Norwegian national youth team, where he played a key role in their Syrenka Cup victory.
His unique movement in the box and deep understanding of the game set him apart even as a young player. This innate talent led to impressive goal-scoring feats and rapid progress through Bryne Fotballklubb, culminating in his debut for the senior team at just 15 years old in May 2016.
Road to Fame Story:
With a remarkable surge in his performance, there seemed to be no limit to what the Norwegian could achieve. After netting eighteen goals in fourteen games with Bryne’s reserve team, the rising star began attracting interest from larger clubs, both domestic and international.
Meeting Ole Gunnar Solskjær:
Haaland was first offered a trial by the German club 1899 Hoffenheim, which his parents rejected.
The football prodigy’s stellar performances made talent scouts from Molde Footballklubb have him on their biggest transfer wish list.
After a successful negotiation, the emerging talent made the move to Molde FK, where he was managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Here’s a snapshot of Haaland and Solskjær shortly after the United coach helped him overcome a growth issue.
Handling Growth issues:
Erling Halland observed his body to have a problem during his mid-teen years. While his teammates grew bigger and taller, he remained short and lanky.
Having observed he suffered from a teenage growth spurt, his club (Molde) took a decision to help him deal with the issue. At that time, Erling’s performance was on a little decline.
How a Cook Helped Erling Haaland:
One woman, Molde’s Chef named Torbjørg Haugen, AKA Tanta, singlehandedly helped him to overcome his growth problems.
Employed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær, she took care of Erling’s nutrition. The boy ate like a horse and kept requesting more food (Norwegian Meatballs) to take home after training.
In just two years at Molde, Erling experienced a remarkable growth spurt, adding 8 cm to his height—more than his body seemed to need. He grew so rapidly it was as if he’d been given some sort of growth stimulant. Thanks to Chef Tanta, the difference in his appearance from his time in Bryne to his new height was striking.
The Growth Pains:
Getting taller than expected made Erling Haaland face a more difficult situation with his body. During this time, he began suffering from growing pains. Erling’s body stretched violently, and the pains forced his club to control his workload.
Fortunately, Molde Fotballklubb had a skilled team around him to support his development. Børre Steenslid, Molde’s fitness coach, played a crucial role in managing Erling’s growth and ensuring he stayed fit and competitive against adult opponents.
Unlike his teammates, Haaland was absolutely willing to do whatever was required. Day in and day out, he worked out all day at a gym – to ensure he made distinguished realities out of his dreams.
Post Recovery:
Thankfully, Erling Haaland’s momentum continued as he combined his new physical build with technical prowess. He evolved into a football-savvy player, starting to notice things on the field that others his age might miss. This development enhanced his positioning and decision-making in the box.
Haaland didn’t just grow taller, bigger, and stronger; he also became exceptionally dangerous and tactically astute. His incredible speed, combined with his sharp football intelligence, made him a formidable force. His goal-scoring prowess even led his coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, to draw comparisons between him and Romelu Lukaku.
Erling Haaland Bio – Success Story:
After overcoming his growth issues, Erling Haaland made a stunning start to his second season at Molde by scoring four goals in just 21 minutes of a single match.
That season, he earned the titles of Molde’s top scorer and the Eliteserien Breakthrough of the Year.
As Haaland’s star continued to rise, top European clubs began vying for his signature, with his family fielding numerous offers from abroad. Notably, Leeds United, managed by Marcelo Bielsa and where his father had played, was among the first English clubs to make an offer.
The Big Decision:
The way Haaland figured it, leaving his family in Norway for a middle-scale club would translate to a rise in his value.
Thus, he ignored offers from the super big clubs and signed for FC Red Bull Salzburg, which – to all intents and purposes – had a well-suited environment for his turning point to fame.
In fact, Erling Haaland began his time at Red Bull Salzburg with a series of hat-tricks, which quickly elevated his profile from Norway’s U19 to U20 teams.
One of his standout moments on the international stage came when he led Norway’s U20 team to their biggest win ever. Did you know? Erling scored nine goals in their astonishing 12-0 victory over Honduras in May 2019.
Following his national success, Erling Haaland’s potential seemed limitless for both club and country. Not stopping there, he went on to score two additional hat-tricks in the Austrian Bundesliga and built a powerful strike partnership with Patson Daka.
Haaland’s remarkable hat-trick streak gained global attention just three days later when he scored another hat-trick in his UEFA Champions League debut for Genk. This performance made him the third youngest player to score a hat-trick in a Champions League match.
Still, in that Champions League season, Haaland recorded a goal against Liverpool. Again, further two goals against Napoli. It was at this time that Football World got to know that a future GOAT had arrived.
Patson Daka, Hwang Hee-chan, Japan’s Takumi Minamino and Haaland’s departure from Red Bull Salzburg opened doors for other footballers to shine in their positions.
The likes of Noah Okafor (Left Winger), Chukwubuike Adamu (Forward) and Karim Adeyemi became the men that mattered later.
Borussia Dortmund Story:
Halland’s Red Bull Salzburg rise saw the beginning of a transfer battle among several European giants. Among all clubs, Borussia Dortmund edged out as they confirmed the signing of Haaland.
The master of hat-tricks didn’t disappoint as he scored three goals on his Bundesliga debut. Haaland’s goalscoring sensation continued as he broke several Bundesliga records. Thanks to a meteoric German rise, the Norwegian striker went on to become the world’s most-wanted superstar.
At the time of writing Erling Haaland’s Biography, he has become a role model for a whole generation of aspiring footballers in his fatherland, Norway. Not just in Bryne, where his family comes from, so many youths in Norway wants to follow in his footstep.
Without a doubt, we soccer fans are on the verge of seeing another player blossoming his way into taking over from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the next football GOAT.
Just like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Halland is indeed among the best in the endless production line of forwards coming out of Europe. The rest, as we say of his Bio, is now history.
Love Life:
From his teenage years, Erling Haaland was in a relationship with a Norwegian girl he met while playing for Molde. However, the relationship ended in late 2018 after he expressed some hurtful feelings.
The only person who truly knows what happened is Stanislav Macek, a youth coach who worked with Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg. According to Macek, Haaland’s girlfriend couldn’t move with him to Austria due to her educational commitments. When she visited him while he was settling into his new club, she found that Haaland was deeply focused on football. This shift in priorities led to their breakup, and shortly after, she returned to Norway.
What happened after the Breakup:
As of the latest update on Erling Haaland’s biography, he has not shared much about his current relationship status. However, some intriguing details have surfaced regarding his personal life.
Interestingly, Haaland once referred to a hat-trick ball as his “lover and companion for the night.” He has mentioned to a sports journalist that he has had five secret girlfriends, each representing the hat-tricks he’s scored. Haaland believes these hat-trick balls are key to his success. He keeps them by his bedside, looks at them daily, and feels they bring him good fortune.
Not Taking a Girlfriend Home:
Did you know? After missing a hat-trick opportunity against Club Brugge on November 4, 2020, Erling Haaland told BT Sports that he wouldn’t be getting a new girlfriend to comfort him that night.
Given that Haaland currently has no girlfriend, wife, or children, it’s clear he is focused solely on perfecting his goal-scoring prowess. It’s only a matter of time before he might find a significant other or publicly share details about his love life.
Personal Life:
Without a doubt, the Norwegian joins the likes of Oscar Bobb, who represents a gigantic recipe in the world of football. Now, away from seeing scoring goals, you might have asked the question: Who is Erling Haaland outside football? In this section, we tell you everything you need to know about the striker.
First and foremost, Erling Haaland’s personality traits blend the ambitious, resilient and emotionally intelligent traits of the Cancer zodiac sign. He is a special kind of down-to-earth person, one who is very open and honest about saying things – just as they are.
Love for Chainsaw:
In terms of the activities that pass for Erling Haaland’s hobbies and interests, chopping wood cannot be left out.
Splitting stacks of trees is a tremendous workout that helps build his arms back – also a great cardio workout.
Let us not forget where Erling Haaland’s family come from (Land of the Vikings) is home to some of the tallest trees in Europe.
Love for Potato Farming:
During Norway’s frost-free summer break, Erling Haaland takes the opportunity to visit his family and prepare for potato farming. He’s often seen driving a tractor to get his farm ready for planting potatoes.
It’s worth noting that before heading to his farm in Norway, Erling Haaland had just scored 44 goals in 40 competitive matches during the 2019/2020 season. He turns to agriculture as a way to unwind and relax after such an intense season.
Erling Haaland Workout Routine:
Beyond his regular training, Haaland goes the extra mile, such as running through Norwegian mountains. This additional effort contributes to his exceptional performance levels.
Loves for Smiling:
Erling Haaland can be described in three ways: he smiles often, he exercises diligently, and he scores goals frequently.
His frequent smiling might come across as unusual, adding a layer of complexity to understanding his personality.
Erling Braut Haaland Lifestyle:
In this section, we’ll explore Erling Haaland’s lifestyle. Back in Norway, Haaland is known for his social consciousness and love for partying with childhood friends at various hangout spots and nightclubs.
However, not every outing goes smoothly. In 2020, one of his nightclub visits ended in an unexpected twist when he was unceremoniously kicked out by security guards.
Erling Haaland Clothes:
Stylish footballers often set trends both on and off the field, and Erling Haaland is no exception. Known for his distinctive casual style, Haaland invests in unique outfits that make a statement.
We have a throwback photo showcasing his fashion choices from 2016, highlighting his taste in clothing and accessories. His wardrobe reflects his personality, featuring a preference for Nike slippers and iPhones.
Erling Haaland Cars:
The Norwegian does not live the luxurious lifestyle of accomplished footballers who often pride themselves on flashy cars and expensive houses.
From what we’ve gathered, Erling Haaland is not a celebrity who likes to live a life of excess. In addition to dressing casually, he drives an average car despite the millions that go into his pocket.
Erling Haaland Family Life:
The members of his beautiful household – Gry Marita (mum), Alf-Inge (Dad), Gabrielle (sister) and Astor (brother) constitute the most important people in his life.
Before Erling became famous, he has got these set of persons loving him unconditionally.
In this section of our Bio, we’ll tell you more facts about his family members. We begin with the head of his immediate household.
About Erling Haaland’s Father
Alf-Inge Rasdal was born on the 23rd day of November 1972 in Stavanger, a city and municipality in Norway. He grew up in Bryne, the town where both he and his son began their footballing journies.
Alf-Inge’s role in Haaland’s football development has been immense. He privately trained Erling from age 6 until he was 15 and still plays a crucial role in guiding his son’s career decisions.
The bond between them is strong, with Erling considering his father both a friend and a mentor.
Did you know? After waiting eight years for his injuries to heal, Alf-Inge made a brief comeback to football with Rosseland BK, a club in the Norwegian Third Division, in 2011. Despite his efforts, his injury, inflicted by Roy Keane, prevented him from continuing his career. He played nine matches and scored once before retiring for good in 2012.
Before retiring, Alf-Inge also represented Norway on the international stage. He featured in the 1994 World Cup against Mexico and Italy and earned 34 caps, with his final international match being against Bulgaria in April 2001.
About Erling Haaland Mother:
To date, Gry Marita remains the most private member of the family whose name doesn’t pop out in notable events of the striker’s early life to date.
Notwithstanding, she helped raise Haaland and his siblings in a healthy manner and secretly prayed for his success.
Erling Haaland Siblings:
It is almost mind-boggling how fast time flies. More so, how these three best friends have progressed over the years. Astor, Gabrielle, and Erling have all come a long way since their beautiful early years in Norway following their daddy’s injury to Roy Keane.
This section of our Biography unveils fascinating facts about Erling Haaland’s siblings. Now, without further ado, let us begin.
About Astor, Erling Haaland Brother:
The first time to notice about him is his towering build. Astor Haaland’s height is 195cm and 6 foot 4 inches. He is just a centimetre taller than Erling, his younger brother. Astor is a big fan of water and fish.
Did you know?… Erling Haaland’s father’s dream of wanting to see his children live the family’s dream actually began with his eldest child, Astor.
Early on, Alf-Inge approved him of becoming a Man city football child mascot. Little Erling was very young at that time. For unknown reasons, Astor’s football interest died, and Erling became the chosen one.
Regarding the hobbies of the brothers, Erling and Astor Haaland oftentimes prefer to chill in their favourite spot – the snow pool.
As observed below, Both brothers are used to extremely low temperatures. For Erling, the act helps boosts his brain, helps his body burn more calories and sleep better.
About Gabrielle – Erling Haaland Sister:
First and foremost, she goes by the nickname Gabi. Gabrielle Braut Haaland was born on January 9, 1998. She is Erling Haaland’s only sister and the sole daughter of Gry Marita Braut and Alf-Inge Håland.
Growing up, both siblings have shared a very close sibling relationship – with Erling making these memories so handsome with his charming smile.
Even to date and in her busy schedule, Gabrielle often finds time to be there for her younger super-star brother.
For many who don’t know, Gabrielle Haaland is believed to be in the Norwegian Military. We could spot her with an ID and a name tag on her military uniform. Also at the time of writing this Bio, she is happily married to Jan Gunnar Eide and blessed with two daughters.
About Erling Haaland’s Cousin – Albert Braut Tjaaland:
For starters, he is a footballer (a striker) who bears the nicknames – The Goal Scoring Machine and the Next Haaland.
Albert Tjaaland is a maternal cousin to Erling Haaland. Being born on the 11th of February 2004 implies he is 24 years old at the time of writing.
Albert Tjaaland is regarded as a big upcoming talent in Norwegian football. Following the footsteps of both Erling and his Dad (Alf-Inge), he started with Bryne youth.
Did you know?… Albert Tjaaland got a deserved transfer to Molde’s youth team after he scored a total of 69 goals in 48 games with Bryne youth.
Albert Tjaaland’s goals does not just show his abilities but justifies the big hype around him. Watch the 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) forward in action, including his unique goal celebration.
About Erling Haaland’s Grandparents:
Pictured below with Gabrielle, both have been married for decades and often celebrate their wedding anniversary every 25th of July.
There is ongoing research to determine where these two love birds fall – as regards if there are his maternal or paternal grandparents.
About Erling Haaland Relatives:
Looking at Erling Haaland’s extended family, we find Jan Gunnar Eide, who is Haaland’s brother-in-law through his marriage to Gabrielle.
Another notable family member is Thea Vigre, Erling’s sister-in-law, who is married to Astor Haaland. Born on November 24, 1996, Thea is a Norwegian businesswoman and the owner of the clothing store GANNI in Stavanger, Norway. Here’s a glimpse of Thea Vigre, Astor Haaland’s wife.
There are no records of the Norwegian’s uncles, aunts and nieces and cousins at the time of updating his Biography.
Untold Facts:
To wrap up our exploration of Erling Haaland’s life story, let’s dive into some intriguing facts about him.
Erling Haaland Hates Interview:
Since he was a child, Erling Haaland has always disliked being asked questions. For example, something as simple as his mother asking him what he wants for dinner could be a challenge for Gry Marita Braut.
The truth is, Erling has been this way since his childhood, and he is unlikely to change. He is just a typical case of when a core introvert becomes famous.
The typical Haaland Interview Responses:
(1) Girl in a bikini asks him; ‘How do I look? Haaland’s response: With your eyes.
(2) An Interviewer asks; Tell me two motivational quotes. Haaland’s response; (i) Hardwork (ii) Work hard. Haaland on a job interview.
(3) The Interviewer asks Haaland; Why should I accept to hire you? Haaland’s response would be like: why not?
(4) A Reporter then asks the Norwegian: Erling, In what part of the world were you born? Haaland’s response would be like: On my birthday. The reporter then asks: So when is your birthday? Haaland’s response – 21st July. The interviewer asks again: which year? Haaland’s response: Every Year. Kindly share some with us in the comment section.
Comparing his Dortmund Salary to the Average Citizen:
Did you know? In Norway, where the average person earns around 612,000 NOK per year, it would take them 10 years to make what Erling Haaland earns in a single month with Borussia Dortmund.
Erling Haaland Tattoos:
Having body arts is the least of Haaland’s worries at the time of writing. He is rather focused on improving his physique through regular exercise. Indeed he does fancy a muscular build and would love to look macho.
The reason behind Erling Haaland’s nicknames:
His funny nickname, “The Manchild”, was given to him in recognition of his superb height and confident manner in which he plays impressive football despite being young.
Erling Haaland’s Religion:
Haaland’s religion is yet unknown at the time of writing as he hasn’t given pointing indicators to his faith either through interviews or on social media platforms. However, his older brother Astor was once spotted taking photos in a mosque, a development that implies Haaland could be a Muslim.
Fact Check:
Thank you for reading our biography of Erling Braut Haaland and his childhood story. We aim to provide accurate and fair accounts of Norwegian footballers. Stay tuned for more stories, including those of his look-alike Rasmus Hojlund, as well as Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know by commenting below. We appreciate and value your feedback.