Haaland celebrates 26th birthday in glitzy St Tropez party with Mahrez

Erling Haaland has marked his 26th birthday with a lavish beach celebration in the French resort of Saint-Tropez, joined by former Manchester City team-mate Riyad Mahrez.

The Norway and Manchester City striker chose the glamorous Riviera hotspot for his private party, sharing videos and photos of the event across his social media accounts.

French broadcaster RMC Sport highlighted the occasion, noting: “احتفل هالاند بعيد ميلاده في سان تروبيه، برفقة محرز بشكل خاص” – “Haaland celebrated his birthday in Saint-Tropez, accompanied in particular by Mahrez.”

The gathering took place in high-summer conditions on the Cote d’Azur, an area that has become a favoured destination for leading footballers during their off-season breaks before pre-season preparations begin.

Mahrez reunion on the Riviera

Mahrez’s presence at the event drew particular attention, given his recent and unsettled club situation.

The Algeria international spent the 2022-23 campaign alongside Haaland at Manchester City, during which the club secured a historic Treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

However, Mahrez left the Etihad Stadium last summer for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. He has since departed the Jeddah club this summer and is currently without a confirmed new team.

The birthday party in France effectively served as a reunion for the pair, a reminder of their brief but successful spell together under Pep Guardiola in Manchester.

Elite players flock to Saint-Tropez

Haaland’s choice of venue underlines the growing appeal of Saint-Tropez and the wider French Riviera as a luxury playground for elite footballers.

The town’s exclusive beach clubs, superyachts and high-end hotels have made it a regular stop for players looking to unwind between fixtures and training camps. Many top stars traditionally use this period to rest before rejoining their clubs for pre-season tours and fitness work.

Imagery from Haaland’s accounts showed him relaxing in the sun in a setting typical of the region’s upscale coastal venues, surrounded by friends and guests, with Mahrez among the most recognisable footballing faces.

Social media draws spotlight

Although details of the guest list and exact location were not disclosed, Haaland’s decision to publicise moments from the celebration helped propel the event into the sports and entertainment news cycle across Europe.

Clips and photographs quickly circulated among fans, with particular focus on the dynamic between Haaland and Mahrez, whose careers have diverged sharply over the past year.

While Haaland remains central to City’s plans ahead of the new Premier League season, Mahrez is weighing up his next move after leaving Saudi Arabia.

For Haaland, the St Tropez trip appears to be one of his final breaks before turning attention back to competitive football – and to the challenge of adding further silverware to an already glittering CV.