Erling Haaland surprised football fans ahead of the new season by trading his signature long blonde locks for a clean-shaved look. The Manchester City and Norway striker revealed the dramatic style change in a video posted to his official social media accounts, sparking widespread reaction across the sport.
Erling Haaland Debuts Clean-Shaved Hairstyle Ahead of Manchester City Match
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland shared a video on his official X account showcasing a completely cropped hairstyle, abandoning the flowing hair that became his trademark visual style over recent years. According to coverage by Goal.com, the forward unveiled the bold look just before the start of the Premier League season. Haaland accompanied the video release with the statement, “New season, new haircut. Full episode on YouTube,” as reported by Alô Alô Bahia.
For years, supporters and media outlets frequently associated Haaland’s long hair with the image of a Viking warrior. Data from the booking platform Fresha recorded a 1,741 percent surge in search interest for Haaland’s hairstyle over a one-year period, according to Alô Alô Bahia. The player also expanded his commercial footprint in the grooming sector by partnering with Norwegian brand Knickii to launch signature branded headbands that proved popular during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Zlatan Ibrahimović’s Previous Advice on Haaland’s Hair
The striker’s decision to shave his head marks a sharp reversal from past grooming choices and a famous conversation he revealed earlier in the year. During the 2026 World Cup, Haaland recounted that former Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimović had strongly advised him against altering his look. The strength is in the hair,” an exchange the Swedish player later confirmed.
Reactions to the transformation crossed club lines quickly; among those publicly acknowledging the change was Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, who signaled approval of the new look, as noted by Maisfutebol.
Manchester City Campaign and International Record
Born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, England, Haaland has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football. He anchors the attack for both Manchester City—where he helped secure an historic treble during the 2022/23 season—and the Norway national team, for which he stands as the all-time leading goalscorer, according to historical records cited by Alô Alô Bahia.
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