Erling Haaland has already done it all in football, but his latest life achievement may well top the lot.
The Manchester City striker became Norway’s all-time top scorer with a brace against Slovenia in the Nations League, but it was his celebration that might be looked upon more fondly.
Haaland announced he is becoming a dad@erling on Instagram
Haaland posted a picture on social media post-game of himself sucking his thumb and the match ball up his shirt, a typical celebration that players use to signify a pregnancy.
Adding the caption ‘soon’ with a baby emoji, it quickly emerged that his partner, Haugseng Johansen, is expecting, and was at the game with a matching bump.
Asked by Dagbladet what Haaland will be like as a father, she simply replied: “Very good.”
Fulham midfielder Sander Berge added far more information on the surprise news, saying that unlike his Norway teammates, he’s known for a while.
“I’ve known forever,” Berge, who regularly goes on holiday with Haaland said. “I’ve known for quite a while. It was in the summer. It’s wonderful news.
“But I’m very happy for him. I’m very close to him. It’s nice to think he’s going to be a parent.”
It was also revealed that Haaland, who was captain for the match in place of the injured Martin Odegaard, is expecting at the same time as his Arsenal title rival.
Asked who will get there first, Norway teammate and Rennes defender Leo Skiri Ostigard said: “You mustn’t ask me about that. Things are going at a great pace here. Now I have to get on the horse.”
Whether a boy or girl, Haaland junior will already be expected to carry on an extraordinary football lineage.
The child’s grandfather, Alf Inge, was a middling midfielder who spent the majority of his career in England with Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Manchester City.
DagbladetJohansen was seen leaving the game with a bump while Haaland was close behind[/caption]
Alf Inge registered 34 international caps during his career, but Erling has already matched that number in goals.
In his 36th game for the national team his 33rd and 34th goals saw him become Norway’s new all-time top scorer, surpassing Jorgen Juve’s record from 1934.
Haaland has already won it all at club level with City, but things haven’t gone so swimmingly with the national team who haven’t qualified for an international tournament since 2000.
There are signs that could be changing thanks to Haaland, Odegaard and Berge, with Norway now top of their Nations League group ahead of Euro 2024 sides Austria and Slovenia.
