Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has stunned Premier League fans by shaving off his iconic long hair before the new season.
The 26-year-old Norway star, whose flowing blond hair has become as central to his Viking image as his record-breaking scoring feats, unveiled a “military-style buzz-cut” before City’s opening game of the season against Bournemouth on Sunday.
“This beautiful long hair, time to let it go,” Haaland said on his YouTube channel. “I was thinking of doing it after the World Cup but I was so busy so I didn’t do it. The season starts now so it’s time to get a fresh start.”
Haaland revealed that he had previously received advice from Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another prolific long-haired striker, to follow the example of the Bible’s Samson. “He said: ‘never cut your hair because the strength is in the hair,’” Haaland said.
Haaland’s YouTube video included stunned reactions from his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen, as well as former manager Pep Guardiola, Oasis frontman and City fan Noel Gallagher, City team-mate Jack Grealish, and former PSG and Milan striker Ibrahimovic.
“You look about 10 years old,” Grealish replied. “What the f— did you do?” Ibrahimovic said. “No way,” Guardiola laughed, before adding “you are lucky you have hair”.
Haaland will unveil his new look when City face Bournemouth at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon. Haaland said he hoped he scores a header in the first game of the season and vowed to celebrate by rubbing his newly-shaved head.