Haaland lands in Norway with peculiar 2026 World Cup souvenir

Erling Haaland, the star striker for Manchester City, has captured attention not for his performance at the recent World Cup, but for a highly unusual souvenir he brought back to Norway: a taxidermied raccoon.

Upon disembarking from his flight, Haaland was photographed smiling broadly while holding the stuffed animal, which also appeared to have a bottle clutched between its legs. The surreal sight quickly became a viral sensation on social media, with fans speculating about the item's origin and significance.

Reports suggest the unique memento was acquired during Norway's World Cup journey, specifically during their time in the southern United States, with Texas being mentioned as a potential location. This choice of souvenir stands in stark contrast to the typical memorabilia collected by elite athletes after major international tournaments, such as commemorative medals or official merchandise.

Haaland's nonchalant demeanor while carrying the taxidermied raccoon, described as a "wooden and plush" item, further fueled the online buzz. His casual handling of the object, as if it were a standard tourist trinket, added to the surreal nature of the images circulating online.

The peculiar souvenir has added an unexpected and quirky footnote to Haaland's World Cup experience, highlighting his penchant for the unconventional even off the field.