- Erling Haaland swapped his signature long hair for a shorter style ahead of Manchester City’s first Premier League match of the season
- Haaland posted the transformation on X, captioning it ‘New hair don’t care’ and attracting reactions from Real Madrid stars Jude Bellingham and Ibrahima Konate
- The new look comes as Manchester City begin life without Pep Guardiola, with Enzo Maresca taking charge for his first competitive league game
Erling Haaland marked the start of a new Premier League season with more than just fresh ambitions, the Manchester City striker unveiled a dramatically different hairstyle on Sunday morning, hours before the club’s opening fixture against Bournemouth at the Etihad.
The 26-year-old ditched the long, tied-back style that has become almost as recognisable as his goals, opting instead for a shorter cut that echoes his earlier years at Borussia Dortmund.
Source: Getty Images
According to Sky Sports, Haaland shared the transformation across his social media accounts, posting an image on X that documented the various stages of the haircut alongside the caption “New hair don’t care.”
Bellingham and Konate react to Haaland’s haircut
Haaland’s post quickly drew attention from across European football, with two Real Madrid players unable to ignore it.
As seen on Yahoo Sports, Jude Bellingham responded with a blunt “No way,” a comment that drew considerable engagement from supporters.
Ibrahima Konate took a different angle entirely, leaving just one word: “Ragnar.”
The reference is widely understood to be a nod to Ragnar Lothbrok, the legendary Viking figure made famous in the television series Vikings.
Given Haaland’s Norwegian heritage and imposing build, the comparison resonated with fans online.
Haaland’s rise as a global star
Haaland’s growing social media reach has added a new dimension to his public profile.
At the 2026 World Cup, he scored seven goals as Norway reached the quarter-finals and gained more than 32 million Instagram followers during the 39-day tournament, the largest follower growth recorded by any player involved in the competition.
Sunday’s Premier League opener also marks a significant moment for Manchester City beyond the haircut conversation.
Pep Guardiola left the club at the end of last season after more than a decade in charge, and Enzo Maresca steps in as head coach for his first Premier League game.
City arrive at the fixture on the back of a 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, though Maresca has expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to respond.
Haaland is expected to lead the attack as Maresca begins his reign at the club.
Haaland congratulates Arsenal after EPL win
Earlier, Legit.ng reported Arsenal’s title win has drawn reactions from across the football world, but one of the most striking came from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who openly praised his international teammate Martin Odegaard after the Gunners secured the 2025/26 Premier League crown.
The result was confirmed after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, leaving the Gunners with an unassailable lead at the top of the table and ending a 22-year wait for the title.
Source: Legit.ng