Erling Haaland, a 26-year-old Manchester City striker and Norwegian soccer star, debuted a buzz cut on Instagram, sparking a mixed reaction from fans. He shared photos and videos of his new haircut, saying "The Viking era is over" in reference to his long, golden hair. The post garnered comments both praising and criticizing the change, with some calling him sharp and younger while others lamented the loss of his signature look. Haaland's team, Manchester City, won their opening match 2-1 despite his own performance being marred by missed chances.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Erling Haaland, a 26-year-old Norwegian soccer player who plays for Manchester City in the UK, has cut off his iconic long, golden hair. He shared photos of his new buzz cut on Instagram, where he has 76.9 million followers, with the caption "Short hair don't care" and "New season, new trim". The haircut has caused a stir among some fans, who are apparently mourning the loss of Haaland's signature Viking-like locks. This isn't the first time Haaland has made headlines for his off-field antics - he was also known for his dry sense of humor and athletic skills during the World Cup.
Written for “Erling Haaland's Haircut” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 2377 · logged 2026-08-27
Erling Haaland cut his hair off and some people are losing it: 'The Viking era is over'
asserted
era → cut → it
Manchester City striker debuted a buzz cut Sunday, much to the ire of some fans
If you've been wondering what hijinks Erling Haaland has been up to since the World Cup ended — perhaps buying more taxidermy raccoons or working on his robot moves — well, his latest antic involves an attention-grabbing haircut.
asserted
antic → debut → haircut
"Short hair don't care," the Norwegian soccer star and summer internet darling posted to his 76.9 million Instagram followers Sunday, alongside photos of a new buzz cut.
asserted
hair → care → cut
"New season, new trim," Haaland wrote in another post with a video that shows his long, golden tresses before the chop, and then the "after."
asserted
that → write → chop
Haaland, who plays for the Premier League's Manchester City in the United Kingdom, was already a well-known and successful soccer player before the 2026 World Cup, having won nine major trophies with the club, including the prestigious Champions League trophy.
But the 26-year-old's popularity surged over the course of the tournament thanks in part to his dry, goofy sense of humour and on-pitch athleticism.
And then, yes, there was the hair.
asserted
popularity → play → pitch
Time to let it go," Haaland said in a YouTube video posted Sunday, adding he meant to cut it after the World Cup finished but was too busy.
asserted
Cup → let → it
He only had one hesitation, he added, which is that his friend and mentor, former star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, warned him never to cut it.
asserted
friend → have → it
"Because your strength is in your hair," Haaland said.
asserted
Haaland → say → hair
They go short as well," he added.
asserted
he → go → ?
Later in the video, post-chop, Haaland Facetimed Ibrahimovic to show him his new look.
asserted
Haaland → facetime → look
"What the f--k did you do," Ibrahimovic asked.
asserted
Ibrahimovic → do → f
Haaland also called former City manager Pep Guardiola, who is hairless and told the striker: “You’re lucky to have hair."
'Put it back'
asserted
You → call → it
The reaction on social media was mixed, with some fans commenting that Haaland looked sharp, and younger, while many others bemoaned the loss of his signature look.
asserted
others → comment → look
"An angel lost its wings," one person commented on his Instagram video.
asserted
person → lose → video
Erling Haaland mania is taking over at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Yes, Erling Haaland brought home a taxidermy raccoon from his World Cup travels
"The Viking era is over," wrote another person on X.
asserted
person → take → X.
"I hope you have not shaved your powers off," wrote another fan.
asserted
fan → hope → powers
"Put it back," added another.
asserted
another → put → it
Haaland debuted his new look in real life Sunday at his team's opening match against Bournemouth.
asserted
Haaland → debut → Bournemouth
His team won 2-1, but Haaland himself missed a few chances to score and appeared frustrated with his performance.
asserted
Haaland → win → performance
He's also not the only star to show off a back-to-school haircut.
asserted
He → show → haircut
Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie was photographed Sunday looking like he'd chopped off his curly locks ahead of filming the show's second season.
asserted
he → photograph → season
