Erling Haaland has revealed his deep passion for watching football during his free time, a habit that appears to have tested the patience of his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen.
Manchester City's prolific striker shared the anecdote during a conversation with Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast. He described tuning into Manchester United's recent 1-1 draw with West Ham last Thursday.
When asked if he genuinely watches matches, the 25-year-old Norwegian confirmed, "Yeah, I'm a football fan, so I watch all kinds of football. Actually, yesterday, we were eating dinner, and I checked if there were any games. Man Utd were playing West Ham."
"Let's put it on," he continued. "My missus said, 'I'm so sick of football. We watch it all the time.' And I'm like, yeah, that's the reason why we are sitting here."
The frank exchange provides a revealing look into Haaland's life off the pitch, beyond his regular goal-scoring exploits for the Premier League champions.
Haaland is currently in a relationship with 21-year-old Isabel Johansen. The couple first met in their native Norway while Haaland was beginning his professional career at his first club, Bryne FK.
The fact that even his partner has expressed weariness about the constant presence of football underscores the striker's all-consuming dedication to the sport.
While such obsession might seem typical for an elite footballer, this isn't always the case. Some players maintain a more detached, professional relationship with the game away from their duties.
Arsenal defender Ben White, for instance, has openly stated he does not enjoy watching football in his spare time. Haaland's contrasting, insatiable appetite for the game may well be a key ingredient in his relentless pursuit of goals.
City manager Pep Guardiola recently lauded the Norwegian, drawing comparisons to icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. "This is what it's like if you play with Messi or Ronaldo, his influence is so big," Guardiola said.
"You see the numbers of that guy? Of course he's that level. Messi and Ronaldo have done it for 15 years, but this is the level. The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, it's like, 'I am going to score.'"
Guardiola also praised Haaland's mindset and receptiveness to coaching: "He has that hunger. It's top. I said how incredibly coachable and manageable he is. I am tough sometimes with Haaland, but he is open-minded. He lives for the goals."
With an astonishing record of 144 goals in 166 appearances for Manchester City, Haaland's intimate knowledge of football's stories and Premier League history—fueled by his constant viewing—likely makes him acutely aware of the records now within his grasp.
