He was born in the same city as Spice Girl Mel B, celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, and Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis — Leeds. The Football Association knew it.
When Erling Haaland scored an unbelievable nine goals for Norway in a single match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ in 2019, England’s football bosses saw an opportunity. They asked Gareth Southgate to reach out. The England manager, famous for his waistcoats and calm demeanor, wanted to convince the Leeds-born striker to play for England.
But there was one problem: Haaland’s heart belonged to Norway.
In April 2001, his father, Alf Inge Haaland, traveled to Oslo for an international friendly against Bulgaria. He brought home a Norway jersey for his baby son. Erling wore it when he was just nine months old — a sign of what was to come.
From the age of three, Haaland grew up in Bryne, near the scenic Lake Froylandsvatnet. His friends were Norwegian. He spoke Norwegian. He loved skiing, cabins, and animals — all the things that make up Norwegian life. “I always felt 100 percent Norwegian,” Haaland said.
Southgate later confirmed England’s efforts. “We’re always monitoring players who could be eligible for us,” he explained. “But in Haaland’s case, he was clear he wanted to play for Norway. He feels that connection to the country he’s always represented. You have to respect that.”
Haaland chose his heart over potential glory. “I’m sure he’d score more goals for England, play in more big tournaments, maybe even win something,” said former England striker Ian Wright. “But that’s his choice.”
It might turn out to be the right one. Norway haven’t qualified for a major tournament since 2000 — but that could soon change. Haaland’s hat-trick against Israel in Oslo helped secure Norway’s top spot in their World Cup qualifying group.
That performance also placed him in elite company. At just 25, Haaland became only the sixth player ever — and the first in 53 years — to reach 50 international goals in fewer than 50 games. He now has 51 goals in 46 appearances for Norway, matching the early strike rates of legends like Gerd Müller, Ferenc Puskás, Sandor Kocsis, and Pelé.
Would he have scored more with England? Maybe, maybe not. Since Haaland’s first goal for Norway in 2020, Harry Kane has scored 42 in 64 games for England. During the same span, Lewandowski netted 25, Lukaku 37, Mbappé 40, Ronaldo 42, and Messi 44.
Those numbers make Haaland’s record even more remarkable. For comparison, after 46 caps, Messi had 13 goals. Ronaldo had 17.
Still, even the best have their off days. In the match against Israel, Haaland’s coach, Ståle Solbakken, joked after his striker missed two penalties: “I discovered he’s from the same planet as the rest of us.” Solbakken knows Haaland well — he once played alongside Alf Inge in Norway’s midfield during the 1990s.
“There are no words to describe him,” said assistant coach Kent Bergersen. “He scores in every possible way.”
Teammate Alexander Sørloth agreed. “You think you’ve seen it all, and then he finds a way to surprise you again. His stats are just unreal.”
As the football world marvels at Haaland’s records, many wonder which milestones he’ll break next. Will he surpass Zlatan Ibrahimović as Scandinavia’s all-time top scorer? Will he chase down Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most international goals?
Haaland doesn’t seem to care. His focus remains simple — and deeply personal.
“All I care about is winning the next match,” he said. “That’s all I cared about coming into this one, and it’s all I care about now.”
For Haaland, it’s always been about Norway — the country in his heart since birth, on his chest since infancy, and in his blood since the first time he kicked a ball.