- Erling Haaland was dubbed "unstoppable" by Pep Guardiola after consecutive hat tricks
- Haaland set a Premier League record with the most goals in the first three games of a season
- The Norwegian striker's athletic lineage includes a father who played for Manchester City and a mother who was a national heptathlon champion
Following his treble against Ipswich Town, Erling Haaland struck all three goals in City's 3-1 victory over West Ham, bringing his season total to seven.
Guardiola praised Haaland's finishing prowess, stating that no defender could stop him, not even with extreme measures, due to his incredible speed and power. Now fully rested and re-energised, Haaland is more dangerous than ever as he continues to dominate the Premier League.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed Erling Haaland as "unstoppable" after the Norwegian striker netted his second consecutive hat trick, setting a new Premier League record for the most goals in the first three games of a season.
TheRadar has compiled thrilling facts below that you probably have not heard about sensational goalscorer Erling Haaland:
1. Athletic genes run in the family
Erling Haaland’s athletic prowess seems almost predestined. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was a professional footballer who played for top-tier teams like Leeds United and Manchester City. However, Alf-Inge is often remembered for the infamous tackle he endured from Roy Keane. On the other side, Haaland’s mother, Gry Marita Braun, was a national champion in the Heptathlon during the 1990s, further solidifying the family’s athletic heritage.
7 interesting facts about Erling Haaland
2. A talented handball player
While Haaland is now a global football sensation, his talents extend beyond just the pitch. His father, Alf-Inge, encouraged him to try multiple sports, and by age 14, Erling had already explored handball, cross-country skiing, and various forms of athletics. Remarkably, Haaland excelled in handball, with several coaches believing he could have pursued it professionally. The national coach of Norway even sought to recruit him for the national handball team.
3. Setting world records at age 5
Believe it or not, Erling Haaland set his first world record at just five years old. While most kids his age were engrossed in cartoons, Haaland was already earning his ‘Terminator’ nickname. On January 22, 2006, young Haaland achieved a remarkable feat by setting a world record in the standing long jump, leaping an incredible 1.63 meters.
4. A potential England international
Although Erling Haaland is now synonymous with Norwegian football, he could have represented England on the international stage. Born in Leeds while his father was playing for Leeds United, Haaland was technically eligible to play for the English national team. Despite this, Haaland chose to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing for Norway at the national level and signing with Manchester City at the club level.
5. Inspired by Zlatan Ibrahimovic
While many footballers look up to legends like Messi and Ronaldo, Haaland’s biggest inspiration is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Haaland has often spoken about Zlatan’s influence on his game. Haaland channelled his inner Zlatan in one memorable instance by executing a karate kick goal for Manchester City against his former club, Dortmund, mimicking his idol's signature style.
6. The 'manchild' nickname
Haaland’s physical presence on the field is nothing short of imposing. Standing at 6’4, he has always been larger and stronger than most of his peers. This formidable frame earned him the nickname ‘manchild’ during his time in the amateur leagues, a moniker that captured his early dominance in the sport.
7. Scoring nine goals in a single game
Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring abilities are well-known, but one of his most astonishing feats occurred during the U-20 World Cup. In a single match, Haaland netted an unbelievable nine goals, equivalent to three hat tricks. Unsurprisingly, this performance earned him the Golden Boot for the tournament.
English Premier League Matchweek 2 Roundup: How the top 6 teams performed
Previously, TheRadar reported that the second week of Premier League action brought plenty of goals, late drama, and a few unexpected twists. Manchester United’s struggles continued as they faced yet another frustrating loss to Brighton, raising early questions about Erik ten Hag’s ability to fix their ongoing issues.
Arsenal and Liverpool both secured crucial wins that kept their early momentum alive, and Manchester City reminded everyone why they are the defending champions with a commanding performance against Ipswich Town.
