Erling Haaland changes his iconic look with surprise short haircut

Erling Haaland has surprised fans by cutting his trademark long blond hair as the Manchester City and Norway striker prepares for the new season.

The 26-year-old revealed his new appearance in a video posted on his official X account on Sunday. Haaland is shown with a short haircut, a significant change from the long blond style he had worn for several years.

The post was captioned: “New season, new trim 💇🏼‍♂️😎 Full episode on YT! 🎬”

Haaland’s hair had become one of the most recognisable features of his public image since he emerged as one of world football’s leading forwards. His distinctive appearance was frequently associated with that of a Viking warrior, adding to the attention surrounding his performances on the pitch.

The Norway international previously said he had received advice about his hair from Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the 2026 World Cup. According to Haaland, Ibrahimovic told him: “Never cut your hair… the power is in the hair.”

Ibrahimovic later confirmed that he had given Haaland that advice.

The striker’s hairstyle also developed into a commercial phenomenon. Data from the Fresha platform showed that online searches for Haaland’s haircut increased by 1,741% over the course of a single year.

Haaland subsequently moved into the hair-products market through a partnership with Norwegian brand Knycky. The company launched hair ties connected with his name, which attracted strong demand during the World Cup.

The change in appearance marks a clear departure from the style that had been closely linked with Haaland throughout the past few seasons. His long hair became part of his identity as he established himself among the game’s elite goalscorers, while also helping create a distinctive image away from the football pitch.

Born in Leeds, England, on 21 July 2000, Haaland is the all-time leading goalscorer for Norway. He has also enjoyed major domestic and European success with Manchester City, including winning the treble during the 2022-23 season.

Haaland has broken numerous records during his career and remains one of the world’s most prominent strikers. His new haircut is therefore likely to attract almost as much attention from supporters and brands as his goals have done.

The full video documenting the change is available on YouTube, according to Haaland’s post.