Haaland Shaves Off His Famous Long Hair

Share to Google Classroom

Norwegian football star Erling Haaland has cut off his famous long blonde hair, showing off a brand new buzzcut on social media.

The Manchester City striker, 26, shared a video on Instagram on Sunday, 23 August 2026, showing the big chop. “New season, new trim,” he wrote alongside the clip.

Haaland became a worldwide sensation during the 2026 World Cup, when he went viral for both his brilliant football skills and his long, flowing hairstyle.

In a YouTube video about the change, Haaland explained that he had wanted to cut his hair straight after the World Cup. “I was so busy so I didn’t do it,” he said. “The season starts now, so it’s time to get a fresh start.”

He also said former Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimović had once warned him, “never cut your hair because your strength is in your hair,” which made him feel “a bit nervous” about going ahead.

Haaland’s girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, watched him get his haircut. “Oh my god! It looks nice … you look really tough,” she told him afterwards.

His teammate Jack Grealish and Ibrahimović both looked shocked when Haaland showed off his new look for the first time.

Whatever people think of the buzzcut, Haaland seems happy to start the new season with a fresh new style.

How did this story make you feel?

SMART Prep | Quick Question 210560

At the weekend market in Hamilton, a stall sold apples, pears, and oranges from local orchards. The fruit was washed and packed in paper bags. The seller told customers that the apples were grown nearby. A customer said, “These are the tastiest apples in town.”

Which statement is an opinion?

  

Vocabulary

Click on the words in the article. See if you can find them all.

Thinking Question