Manchester City striker Erling Haaland unveiled a striking new hairstyle just hours before his team's Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Sunday. The change, which saw the player cut off his signature long blonde locks for a buzz cut, marked a significant departure from his previous look, which he had maintained for four years.
Haaland documented the transformation in a YouTube video and shared photos across social media on Sunday. In the video, his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, reacted with visible shock, exclaiming, "I think I will cry" as the first chunks of hair were removed. She later expressed surprise at his new appearance, stating, "It looks nice. You look cute," though Haaland reportedly aimed for a more rugged appearance.
Johansen, who has 2.1 million followers on Instagram, also shared photos of her own fresh haircut, suggesting a "family haircut day" for the couple. The pair, who grew up together in Bryne, Norway, have been a notable presence together, particularly during the recent FIFA World Cup.
Prior to the haircut, Haaland mentioned receiving advice from Zlatan Ibrahimović not to alter his hair, with Ibrahimović reportedly stating, "your strength is in your hair." Haaland, however, proceeded with the change, disregarding the advice and drawing parallels to the biblical story of Samson. He humorously anticipated the reaction from Manchester City fans, imagining them singing, "Who the f—ing hell is that?" and expressed a desire to score a header to further the joke.
The couple, who welcomed a son in December 2024, have maintained privacy regarding their child's appearance and name. The recent haircut follows other public appearances, including attending a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Sicily and a Jennifer Lopez concert, where Haaland reportedly experienced jealousy when actor Michele Morrone spoke with Johansen.
At the time of reporting, Manchester City was trailing 1-0 in the second half of their match against Bournemouth.