Erling Haaland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Erling Haaland

Haaland training with Manchester City in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth	(2000-07-21) 21 July 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth	Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Height	1.94 m
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Manchester City
Number	9
Youth career
2005–2016	Bryne
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2015–2016	Bryne 2	14	(18)
2016–2017	Bryne	16	(0)
2017	Molde 2	4	(2)
2017–2019	Molde	39	(14)
2019–2020	Red Bull Salzburg	16	(17)
2020–2022	Borussia Dortmund	67	(62)
2022–	Manchester City	89	(81)
National team‡
2015	Norway U15	4	(4)
2016	Norway U16	17	(1)
2017	Norway U17	5	(2)
2017	Norway U18	6	(6)
2018	Norway U19	6	(6)
2019	Norway U20	5	(11)
2018	Norway U21	3	(0)
2019–	Norway	39	(38)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:30, 25 January 2025 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:22, 17 November 2024 (UTC)

Erling Braut Haaland (born 21 July 2000) is a Norwegian professional footballer. He plays as a striker for Manchester City and the Norway national team. Many people think he is one of the best players in the world. He is known for his amazing speed, strength, and goal-scoring ability.

In his first season in the Premier League (2022–23), Haaland broke the record for most goals scored in a single season with 36 goals. He started his career in Norway with Bryne and Molde. Then he moved to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. Later, he joined Borussia Dortmund in Germany, where he won the DFB-Pokal cup in 2021.

In the summer of 2022, Haaland moved to Manchester City. He helped the club win a "treble" in his first year. This means they won three major trophies: the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. He scored 52 goals that season, which was a record for a Premier League player. Haaland won many awards, including the Young Player and Player of the Season awards in the same year.

Haaland has won many individual awards. These include the Golden Boy award in 2020. He was also named Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021. He has broken several Premier League records, like scoring the most goals in a season. He was also the fastest to score two, three, four, and five hat-tricks. In 2023, he won the Premier League Golden Boot and the European Golden Shoe for being the top scorer. He was also named UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

Haaland has played for Norway at different youth levels. In the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he scored a record nine goals in one match. He won the tournament's Golden Boot. He started playing for the senior national team in September 2019. He is now Norway's all-time top goalscorer.

Early Life and Childhood Sports

Erling Braut Haaland was born on 21 July 2000 in Leeds, England. His father, Alfie Haaland, was a footballer playing for Leeds United at the time. In 2004, when Erling was three, his family moved back to Bryne, Norway. This was his parents' hometown.

Haaland played football from a young age. He also tried other sports like handball, golf, and track and field. When he was five, he reportedly set a world record for his age group in the standing long jump. He jumped 1.63 metres in 2006.

Club Career Journey

Starting at Bryne

Haaland began his football journey at age five. He joined the youth academy of his local club, Bryne.

In 2015 and 2016, Haaland played for Bryne 2, which is Bryne's reserve team. He played in the Norwegian fourth division and scored 18 goals in 14 matches. He scored his first hat-trick at just 16 years old. In May 2016, he made his first team debut for Bryne FK. He played in a second-tier match before his 16th birthday.

At first, he played as a winger. But his coach moved him to his favourite position as a striker. Even though he didn't score for Bryne's first team, he later moved to Molde. He played 16 senior games for Bryne.

Moving to Molde

Haaland playing for Molde in 2018

On 1 February 2017, Molde signed Haaland when he was 16. He scored on his debut in a Norwegian Cup match. His first league goal came on 6 August 2017. He scored the winning goal for Molde against Tromsø IL. He finished his first season with four goals in 20 games.

On 1 July 2018, Haaland scored four goals in just 21 minutes against Brann. This helped his team win 4–0 against the league leaders. Molde's manager compared him to Romelu Lukaku. Haaland scored his first goal in a UEFA competition on 26 July. He finished the 2018 season as Molde's top scorer with 16 goals in 30 matches. He also won the Eliteserien Breakthrough of the Year award.

Success at Red Bull Salzburg

Haaland playing for Red Bull Salzburg in 2019

Haaland joined Red Bull Salzburg in Austria on 1 January 2019. He signed a five-year contract. He scored his first goal for the club on 12 May.

On 19 July, he scored his first hat-trick for Salzburg in a cup game. He then scored his first league hat-trick on 10 August. Three days later, Haaland made his UEFA Champions League debut. He scored three goals in the first half of a 6–2 win. This was his fourth hat-trick for Salzburg. He became the only player to score a first-half hat-trick on his Champions League debut.

Haaland continued to score in the Champions League. He scored against Liverpool and two goals against Napoli. He became only the second teenager to score in his first three Champions League games. He also scored in his first four matches, a rare achievement. On 27 November, he scored again, becoming the first teenager to score in five Champions League games in a row. He left Salzburg with 29 goals, with 28 of them coming in just 22 games during the 2019–20 season.

Joining Borussia Dortmund

2019–20: Amazing Start

On 29 December 2019, Haaland joined Borussia Dortmund in Germany. He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. He made his debut on 18 January 2020. He came on as a substitute and scored a hat-trick in just 23 minutes! This helped Dortmund win 5–3. He was the second player in Dortmund's history to score three goals on his Bundesliga debut.

Six days later, he scored two more goals in his second game. He became the first Bundesliga player to score five goals in his first two matches. He also reached this total faster than anyone else (56 minutes played). He even won the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for January. On 18 February, Haaland scored both goals in Dortmund's 2–1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. He had scored 10 Champions League goals in only eight games. He finished his 2019–20 season with 44 goals in 40 club games for both Salzburg and Dortmund.

2020–21: Top Scorer in Champions League

Haaland playing for Borussia Dortmund in 2020

On 19 September 2020, Haaland scored two goals in Dortmund's first game of the new season. On 21 November, he scored four goals in 32 minutes against Hertha BSC. He won the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for a second time.

He continued to score many goals in the Champions League. He scored six goals in the first four group matches. He became the fastest player to reach 15 Champions League goals, doing it in just 12 games. On 17 February, he scored two goals against Sevilla in the Champions League. His second goal was the 100th of his senior career. He reached this milestone in 146 games.

Haaland scored two more goals against Sevilla on 9 March. This made him the fastest and youngest player to reach 20 goals in the Champions League. He also became the first player to score multiple goals in four Champions League games in a row. On 13 May, he scored two goals in the 2021 DFB-Pokal final against RB Leipzig. This helped Dortmund win the cup, his first title with the club. He ended the season with 41 goals in all competitions. He was the top scorer in the Champions League with 10 goals.

2021–22: Injuries and Leaving Dortmund

Haaland started the 2021–22 season with a hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal. A week later, he scored two goals and assisted two others in the Bundesliga. He later had a hamstring injury and then a hip injury, which kept him out for two months. He returned on 27 November and scored his 50th Bundesliga goal. He set a new record for the fewest games to reach 50 league goals. He also became the youngest player to do so.

On 10 May, Dortmund announced that Haaland would leave the club. He would join Manchester City in the Premier League. Four days later, he said goodbye to the fans at Dortmund's stadium. He scored his last goal for the club in a 2–1 win.

Joining Manchester City

2022–23: Breaking Records and Winning the Treble

Haaland (centre) playing for Manchester City against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022

On 10 May 2022, Manchester City announced they would sign Haaland. The deal was completed on 13 June, and he joined on 1 July. He made his first game for City on 30 July.

Haaland scored two goals in his league debut against West Ham United on 7 August 2022. On 27 August, he scored his first Premier League hat-trick. Four days later, he scored his second hat-trick. This made him the fastest player in Premier League history to score two hat-tricks. He won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

On 6 September, Haaland played his first Champions League game for City. He scored two goals against Sevilla. He became the first player to score 25 goals in his first 20 Champions League games. In City's next Champions League game, he scored a great goal against his old club, Borussia Dortmund. This goal was later chosen as the Champions League Goal of the Season.

On 2 October, Haaland became the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick in three home games in a row. This happened during City's 6–3 win against Manchester United. He also became the quickest player to score three hat-tricks in the Premier League. On 28 December, he scored two goals against Leeds United. This made him the fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals. On 22 January 2023, he scored his fourth hat-trick of the season.

On 14 March, Haaland scored five goals in a 7–0 Champions League win against RB Leipzig. He tied the record for most goals in a single Champions League match. He also broke the club record for most goals in a single season for Manchester City. Four days later, he scored his sixth hat-trick of the season in the FA Cup.

On 11 April, Haaland scored his 45th goal of the season. This broke the record for most goals in all competitions by a Premier League player. He scored his 50th goal of the season on 30 April. On 3 May, Haaland scored his 35th league goal. This broke the record for most goals in a single Premier League season. A week later, he won the FWA Footballer of the Year award. He also won the Premier League Player of the Season and Premier League Young Player of the Season awards.

Haaland won his first trophy with Manchester City when they won the 2022–23 Premier League title. He also won the Premier League Golden Boot and the European Golden Shoe. He played in City's FA Cup final win over Manchester United. He then played in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. City won 1–0, completing a historic "treble". Haaland finished as the top scorer in the Champions League for the second time. He was later named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

2023–24: Another Golden Boot

Haaland with Manchester City in 2023

Manchester City started their 2023–24 Premier League season on 11 August 2023. Haaland scored two goals in a 3–0 win. A few days later, City won the UEFA Super Cup. Haaland scored in the penalty shoot-out. On 29 August, Haaland was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

He became the fastest player to reach 100 league goals in Europe's top 5 leagues. He did it in just 103 games. On 2 September, he scored his seventh club hat-trick and assisted another goal. This made him the fastest player to be involved in 50 Premier League goals (goals plus assists). On 25 October, he scored his first two Champions League goals of the season. On 29 October, he scored two goals and assisted one in a 3–0 win over Manchester United. The next day, he received the Gerd Müller Trophy for scoring the most goals for club and country.

On 25 November, Haaland became the fastest player to score 50 Premier League goals. He did it in just 48 games. He missed almost two months due to a foot injury. He returned at the end of January 2024.

On 20 February 2024, Haaland scored against Brentford. He joined Harry Kane as the only players to score against every Premier League team they had faced. A week later, he scored five goals in an FA Cup game against Luton Town. This was his second time scoring five goals in a game for City. On 4 May, Haaland scored four goals in a 5–1 win.

Haaland scored two goals in City's 2–0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on 14 May. This put City back at the top of the Premier League. Five days later, City won the Premier League title again. Haaland also won his second Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals. City lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United.

2024–25: More Goal-Scoring Records

Haaland scored City's first league goal of the season on 18 August 2024. This was his 100th game for City. On 25 August, he scored his first hat-trick of the season against Ipswich Town. In the next game on 31 August, he scored another hat-trick against West Ham United. This tied him with Harry Kane for the most Premier League hat-tricks among active players. Haaland's seven goals after three matches broke the record for most goals in the first three Premier League games of a season.

On 14 September, Haaland scored two more goals. This broke Wayne Rooney's record for most goals in the first four Premier League games of a season. On 22 September, Haaland reached 100 goals for one club in Europe's top five leagues. He did this in 105 games, matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record.

On 17 January 2025, Haaland signed a new contract with Manchester City until 2034. This is the longest contract in the Premier League.

International Career for Norway

Youth Level (2015–2018)

Haaland plays for Norway and has represented them at different age groups. On 27 March 2018, he scored a hat-trick for the Norway under-19 team. This helped his country qualify for the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

On 30 May 2019, Haaland scored nine goals for the Norway under-20 team. This happened in a 12–0 win against Honduras at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. This was Norway's biggest ever win at that level. Haaland also set a new U-20 World Cup record for most goals by one player in a match. Even though Norway was knocked out early, Haaland still won the Golden Boot as the top scorer.

Senior Debut and Major Tournaments (2019–Present)

Haaland was born in England, but he always wanted to play for Norway. On 28 August 2019, he was called up to the Norway senior team. He made his debut on 5 September 2019. On 4 September 2020, Haaland scored his first senior international goal for Norway. Three days later, he scored two goals against Northern Ireland.

On 11 October, Haaland scored his first international hat-trick for Norway. This brought his total for the senior team to six goals in six games. In September 2021, Haaland scored five goals in three World Cup qualification matches. This included his second hat-trick for Norway. He was also the joint-top scorer in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League.

On 12 October 2023, Haaland scored two goals against Cyprus. This made him Norway's second-highest all-time top scorer. On 5 June 2024, Haaland scored his third hat-trick for Norway in a friendly game.

On 10 October 2024, Haaland scored two goals against Slovenia. He reached 34 international goals, becoming Norway's all-time top scorer at just 24 years old. He broke a record that had stood since 1937. On 17 November, he scored his fourth international hat-trick. This helped Norway get promoted to the top level of the Nations League.

How Erling Haaland Plays Football

Haaland is a very good goalscorer and is seen as one of the best players in the world. He has all the skills of a complete centre-forward. He uses his strong body to hold the ball and help his teammates. He is fast and moves smartly to get behind defenders. He can also dribble, create chances, and score with both feet and his head.

He often drops back to get the ball and help his team build attacks. He usually passes the ball wide to a teammate, then quickly runs towards the goal. In the penalty area, he makes quick, small movements to find open space. This makes it very hard for defenders to stop him.

Haaland uses his body well to protect the ball when he has his back to the goal. He uses his strength to keep the ball when defenders are close. He is also good at helping his team's defenders by holding up the ball after a clearance. He is very creative when he moves into the left side of the field. His main goal is always to shoot, but he can also see and pass to teammates making late runs from midfield. His ability to run with the ball quickly also helps create chances, especially on counter-attacks. Even though he doesn't touch the ball as much as some strikers, his calm play, good timing, and movement without the ball have a huge impact on his team's attacks.

Haaland looks up to famous players like Zlatan Ibrahimović and Cristiano Ronaldo. He also gets inspiration from players like Michu, Jamie Vardy, Sergio Agüero, and Robin van Persie. He has said that Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Ramos are two of the toughest defenders he has played against.

Erling Haaland's Personal Life

Erling Haaland's father is Alfie Haaland, a former Norwegian footballer. His mother, Gry Marita Braut, was a heptathlon athlete. In 2017, Haaland said in an interview that his dream was to win the Premier League with Leeds. His cousins, Jonatan Braut Brunes and Albert Tjåland, are also professional footballers.

Haaland practices meditation.

In 2016, Haaland and his Norway under-17 teammates, Erik Botheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg, formed a group called Flow Kingz. They released a song called "Kygo jo". The song has been watched over 12 million times on YouTube.

In October 2024, Haaland announced he was expecting his first child with his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen. Their child was born in December.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Trophies and Awards

Red Bull Salzburg

• Austrian Bundesliga: 2018–19
• Austrian Cup: 2018–19

Borussia Dortmund

• DFB-Pokal: 2020–21

Manchester City

• Premier League: 2022–23, 2023–24
• FA Cup: 2022–23
• FA Community Shield: 2024
• UEFA Champions League: 2022–23
• UEFA Super Cup: 2023

Norway U17

• Syrenka Cup: 2016

Individual Awards

• The Best FIFA Men's 11: 2024
• European Golden Shoe: 2022–23
• Eliteserien Breakthrough of the Year: 2018
• Austrian Footballer of the Year: 2019
• Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2019–20
• FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2019
• UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI: 2019
• Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2020–21
• Bundesliga Player of the Month: January 2020, November 2020, April 2021, August 2021
• Bundesliga Rookie of the Month: January 2020, February 2020
• Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2020–21, 2021–22
• FWA Footballer of the Year: 2022–23
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2022–23
• Premier League Young Player of the Season: 2022–23
• Premier League Golden Boot: 2022–23, 2023–24
• Premier League Player of the Month: August 2022, April 2023, August 2024
• ESM Team of the Year: 2019–20, 2022–23
• Golden Boy: 2020
• Gullballen: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Kniksen's honour award: 2020
• Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year: 2020
• UEFA Champions League Squad/Team of the Season: 2020–21, 2022–23
• UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season: 2020–21
• UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2020–21, 2022–23
• UEFA Men's Player of the Year: 2022–23
• UEFA Nations League top scorer: 2020–21, 2022–23
• FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2022, 2023
• Manchester City Player of the Season: 2022–23
• PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2022–23
• Gerd Müller Trophy: 2023
• Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year: 2023
• The Guardian Best Footballer in the World: 2023
• World Soccer Player of the Year: 2023
• FourFourTwo Player of the Year: 2022, 2023
• BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year: 2023
• IFFHS World's Best Player: 2023
• Onze d'Or: 2022–23

See also

In Spanish: Erling Haaland para niños