Haaland Stars in Nike World Cup Ad, Declared Football's New King

Erling Haaland is stealing the spotlight in Nike's latest World Cup campaign, "Rip the Script." The Norwegian striker, alongside Hollywood star Channing Tatum who plays his stunt double, delivers a flying volley in the climactic scene of the six-minute advertisement. This prominent placement underscores Haaland's immense global appeal and his position among football's elite.

"This just proves his status as one of the world's absolute most attractive football players," says Vegard Arntsen, CEO of Sponsor Insight. "He's right up there with the very biggest like Ronaldo and Mbappé. Some might say he's the world's greatest, but he's definitely top five."

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This just proves his status as one of the world's absolute most attractive football players. He's right up there with the very biggest like Ronaldo and Mbappé. Some might say he's the world's greatest, but he's definitely top five.

The advertisement features a star-studded cast including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., Virgil van Dijk, LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Arntsen suggests that Haaland's Norwegian "Viking" persona might particularly resonate with the American market.

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Haaland is taking over the throne from Ronaldo. And Channing Tatum plays the role of his stuntman. That's raw!

Daniel Røed-Johansen, a commentator for Aftenposten, notes that the ad grants Haaland legendary status, comparing his role to that of past football greats like Ronaldo, David Beckham, Eric Cantona, and Zinedine Zidane. "Haaland is taking over the throne from Ronaldo," Røed-Johansen states. "And Channing Tatum plays the role of his stuntman. That's raw!"

Even Haaland's national teammate, Oscar Bobb, acknowledges the striker's established global stardom. "He's had that world-star status for a few years now," Bobb said. "You've almost gotten used to it. It's strange to say. He's a guy I know, and a normal Norwegian, in a way. But he's earned it."

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He's had that world-star status for a few years now. You've almost gotten used to it. It's strange to say. He's a guy I know, and a normal Norwegian, in a way. But he's earned it.