From Age 10 to 25: The Heartwarming Story Behind Haaland's Rise, His Hometown Auntie Calls 'Come Back for Sweet and Sour Pork'

For 27 years, Wang Huizhu has owned the "Wen Hua Lou" Chinese restaurant in the Norwegian town of Bryne. She has watched many locals grow up, but her connection with 25-year-old Norwegian football sensation Erling Haaland is particularly special. Wang recounts seeing Haaland for the first time when he was just 10 years old, often accompanied by his grandmother, who was Wang's language teacher.

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He was 10 years old when I first met Erling. His grandmother was my language teacher, and she often brought him to eat.

Haaland, now a global star, is remembered by Wang not for his fame, but for his consistent warmth and humility. She recalls him as a "little sun," always greeting her with a smile and never putting on airs. Even as a child, he enjoyed fried chicken at her restaurant. Wang cherishes several signed jerseys from Haaland, including one he specifically gifted her for the restaurant.

Their bond extends to Haaland's family, with his mother and aunt frequently ordering takeout and helping to promote her business. Wang describes Haaland as someone who rarely shows distress and maintains a sunny, hardworking attitude. She proudly plans to celebrate his eventual return to Norway with his favorite dish: sweet and sour pork, a Norwegian-style adaptation of the Cantonese classic.

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He always greeted me proactively and smiled at everyone he met, like a 'little sun'.

Wang last saw Haaland a week before the current World Cup, when he visited her restaurant to say goodbye before heading off to compete. She looks forward to his return, eager to welcome him back with a taste of home and a dish that holds special meaning for both of them.

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I told him that when he returns home, I will properly celebrate for him and make him sweet and sour pork.