Erling Haaland explains message exchange with Tom Holland

Erling Haaland has opened up about an unusual exchange with actor Tom Holland, saying his response may have come across more harshly than he intended when the Spider-Man star contacted him with a Tottenham pitch.

How the exchange began

The story first emerged through Holland, who discussed it during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The actor said he had once sent Haaland a private message after seeing him in Monaco.

Haaland later confirmed the contact on his YouTube channel and revealed the substance of the message. Holland invited him out for a drink and also asked him to join Spurs.

At the time, Haaland was playing for Borussia Dortmund and was already one of the most sought-after forwards in European football before eventually moving to Manchester City.

Holland's Tottenham plea

Holland, a well-known Tottenham supporter, was effectively trying to persuade Haaland to consider a move to his club. The anecdote quickly gained attention because of the contrast between Holland's celebrity status and Haaland's blunt reaction.

Speaking to Jimmy Fallon, Holland suggested the moment was a reminder that fame in one world does not necessarily carry weight in another. The actor framed it as the kind of experience that can keep performers grounded.

Haaland's side of the story

Haaland said he recognised Holland as the actor associated with Spider-Man, but admitted he does not watch those films. He explained that he tried to respond in a humorous way, while also acknowledging that the message could sound rude when removed from its original context.

The Norway striker added that he later felt uncomfortable about how the exchange might have been perceived. In an effort to smooth things over, he sent Holland another message to clarify that he had not meant to ignore him.

In that follow-up, Haaland also appeared to leave the door slightly open with a light-hearted line about not being sure about Spurs now, but adding that the future is impossible to predict.

A light-hearted moment around a global star

The episode offers a glimpse into the level of attention Haaland was attracting even before his move to Manchester City. Clubs across Europe were tracking him, and his rise had clearly reached beyond football into popular culture.

It also underlined Haaland's direct manner, something that has become part of his public image. In this case, though, the striker was keen to stress there was no malice behind the exchange — only a joke that may not have landed as intended.