How Yorkshire-born Erling Haaland could have been playing for England! Norway superstar even says ‘home’ is here – but now he’s out to make himself Public Enemy Number One

While he will be England’s biggest obstacle in Miami on Saturday night, there are few rivals with as close a connection to the country as Erling Haaland.

Norway’s giant star will take the leadership seat against his country of birth in the World Cup, where he scored seven goals and took Norway to the quarter-finals.

Inspired by his father’s playing career and now playing for Manchester City, England, the actor born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, played a decisive role in Haaland’s story.

Haaland was born in Leeds in July 2000, following the 1999–2000 season, which was his father Alf-Inge Haaland’s final season at Elland Road.

Haaland Snr spent a total of 10 years in England; Four seasons at Nottingham Forest and three at Leeds United and Manchester City.

Haaland’s father Alf-Inge (right) was playing for Leeds at the time of his son’s birth.

Haaland photographed as a child wearing his father’s Manchester City jersey

In an interview with Man City’s club website at the start of last season, Haaland admitted that he felt somewhat English considering the city of his birth.

He said: ‘When I signed for City I said I felt a bit at home. I remember saying this. So yeah, I feel a little bit at home now that I live in England. Since my family had a great time in England, it was only natural for me to come back here.

‘My mother loves England. He loves traditions and all that. My family had a great time here before and when I was born, and now I’m having a great time too.’

Although Haaland doesn’t remember going to the games to watch his father play, he remembers the little moments before he left England.

he said Gentleman’s Diary: ‘Just sometimes, when we still live in England, when I see pictures of my brother, my sister and me going to school, memories of that time come back.’

Despite Haaland’s closeness with England, he says playing for them was never an option. There may be a hint of Mancuni in his accent, but to him it was always Norway.

The City striker said: ‘Being in Norway there was no talk about it. After all, it was never an argument.’

It was natural for Haaland, who spent 14 years of his life in Bryne while living in Leeds and Manchester, to choose Norway instead of the country of his birth.

‘I’ve always loved England because I feel like we’re a bit the same – Norwegians and British – so I’ve always loved it and always enjoyed being here. It’s just the environment. I feel really calm and it’s hard to explain why I like it. I think it’s very similar to Norway in many ways.’

Following in his father’s footsteps, Haaland transferred to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for £51.2 million in 2022. Expectations were high after scoring 86 goals in 89 appearances for the German giants.

While Haaland admits there may be an adjustment period, he has never been worried about adapting to English football in the long term.

‘We’ll look at settling in. People can take time, people can get straight to the point. “We’ll have to see, but I’m not worried,” he said ahead of the start of the 2022-23 season.

Any doubts were quickly dispelled. His two goals on his debut against West Ham were the first signs that England were feeling at home.

He scored his first goal on his debut in the 36th minute, coolly heading over Alphonse Areola. Haaland made a statement to the rest of the league on the opening day of the Premier League season, earning his support immediately after the end of the game.

The 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength since then and has proven himself to be one of the best strikers on the planet. Haaland has already won nine trophies, including three domestic cups, two Premier Leagues and one Champions League.

As Norway prepares to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time, you can’t help but wonder what could have been.

As Norway prepares to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time, you can’t help but wonder what could have been.

The Three Lions have missed out on many stars such as Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Antoine Semenyo who have opted for other national teams over the years.

However, the player who poses the biggest ‘what if’ question is City’s striker. It would be a cruel irony if Haaland ended the Three Lions’ World Cup dreams and broke English hearts on Saturday.

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