Haaland’s New Look Ahead of Season Opener
Erling Haaland, the prominent Manchester City striker, has unveiled a new haircut as he prepares for the upcoming Premier League season. The change sees him shedding his well-known long blonde hair for a shorter, shaven style. This new appearance was revealed on social media, with Haaland captioning his post, “New season, new trim.”
The 26-year-old will be hoping his fresh look coincides with more goals as Enzo Maresca’s side is set to face Bournemouth on Sunday. This match marks Maresca’s first Premier League game as head coach, following Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season after more than a decade in charge. The game will be played at the Etihad.
Haaland’s social media presence has seen significant growth, particularly during the 2026 World Cup. He gained over 32 million Instagram followers during the 39-day tournament, which saw Norway reach the quarter-finals. During Norway’s run in the tournament, Haaland scored seven goals. His growing profile off the pitch has added to his status as a global football star, attracting new audiences through his personality and social media content.
Reactions to the Haircut
Before making the decision to cut his hair, Haaland engaged in some lighthearted moments, showcasing images of his past hairstyles and humorous ideas for his new look. He appeared somewhat nervous as the first piece of hair was cut, but soon began to smile about his new appearance.
The reveal prompted varied reactions from several notable figures. Haaland made video calls to his City teammate Jack Grealish, musician Noel Gallagher of Oasis, and former City manager Pep Guardiola. Gallagher commented, “You look about 17 years old. It’s good. Change is good.” Both Grealish and Guardiola expressed their approval, stating they “love” the change.
Grealish humorously remarked, “You look about 10 years old. That is hilarious. I can’t stop looking at the front of your hair. I love it.” Guardiola added, “No way. You’re lucky you have hair. I would love to have it. I love it.”
Haaland also recalled advice from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had previously told him not to cut his long hair. Haaland had joked about this before contacting Ibrahimovic, stating, “Zlatan told me, never cut your hair, because your strength is in your hair. I’m a bit nervous. I want a buzz cut, like in the military.”
Ibrahimovic, however, was not pleased with Haaland’s decision. Upon seeing the new look, he reportedly told Haaland, “What did you do? You lost a bet or what? Block me and erase my number.”
Looking Ahead to the New Season
Haaland’s new shaven style is reminiscent of his earlier days playing for Borussia Dortmund. He posted another image on X, detailing the various stages of his haircut, accompanied by the caption “New hair don’t care.”
The Manchester City forward remains a central figure for the team as Maresca takes the helm. He is expected to lead the attack as the new head coach begins his tenure. The team recently experienced a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend, but Maresca has expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to respond as they commence their league campaign.
Fans will get their first look at Haaland’s new hairstyle in competitive action when Manchester City begins the post-Pep Guardiola era against Bournemouth on Sunday at 14:00 BST.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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