From hero against Brazil to rural dream: Haaland wants to be Norway's 'best farmer'

Erling Haaland, the prolific Manchester City striker, is not just a force on the football pitch but also harbors a deep connection to his rural roots. Beyond his two goals that secured Norway's historic advancement to the World Cup quarterfinals against Brazil, Haaland, at 25, reveals a different passion that draws him closer to the land than the glitz of professional sports.

Raised in Bryne, a small agricultural town in southwestern Norway, Haaland has consistently shown that his upbringing influences his lifestyle. His social media often features images from what appears to be his family's farm in Norway. In a recent interview with BBC Sport, when asked about his potential beyond football, he humorously stated his ambition to become "the best farmer of the year in the future, yes. With animals and vegetables, with both things."

This isn't a fleeting thought; Haaland has spoken for years about finding tranquility on the farm during his off-seasons or when needing to disconnect from football. He told Sky Sports in 2022 that one of his favorite pastimes is driving a tractor and feeding cows. He even envisions a post-retirement life managing a small farm with cattle, goats, and crops, far from the roar of the stadiums.

His social media posts reinforce this rural identity. Recent images show him interacting with farm animals, captioned with "I'm done with sunglasses and fancy clothes. Now I'm back to work with my friends." Another older photo depicts him on a tractor near a potato field, while others show him and his father gathering firewood, sharing jokes along the way. His passion extends to his diet, as he's shared videos about sourcing fresh food and his daily milk consumption.