Åland Chef Cooked for Erling Haaland: 'He Eats More Than I Do'

Christian Karlsson, a chef from Finland's Åland Islands now working with the Norwegian men's national football team, has shed light on the team's culinary practices during their historic World Cup campaign. Based in Norway since 1996, Karlsson joined the national team setup in 1998 and has been with them since.

Karlsson addressed widespread media speculation regarding the team's food consumption, particularly concerning star striker Erling Haaland. He clarified that while the team brought around 300 kilograms of salmon and trout from Norway, reports of vastly larger quantities, such as 6,000 oranges, were inaccurate. "We brought about 300 kilos of salmon and trout from Norway and some cheeses, but nowhere near the amount the media has claimed," Karlsson stated.

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The quantities are just larger than what I eat.

Regarding Haaland's diet, Karlsson explained that the striker eats normal food, with a preference for red meat and seafood. "He likes red meat and seafood, but eats completely normal food. The quantities are just larger than what I eat," Karlsson said with a laugh. He noted Haaland's preference for unprocessed ingredients, including raw milk, though lactose-free milk was substituted in the U.S. due to sales restrictions. Karlsson also highlighted that the team's catering, managed by a three-chef team including Aron Espeland and Eirik Tufte, prepared four meals daily for about 65 people, allowing him more free time than in previous tournaments where he worked alone.

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We brought about 300 kilos of salmon and trout from Norway and some cheeses, but nowhere near the amount the media has claimed.