Haaland unveils new look before Man City opener

Erling Haaland has given Manchester City supporters an unexpected talking point before the club’s opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, revealing a dramatic haircut in a video posted on social media.

The Norway striker, known for his long blond hair, opted for a much shorter style just hours before City begin their league campaign at the Etihad Stadium. The change quickly drew attention, not only because of Haaland’s profile but also because of the reactions it prompted from several familiar names in the game.

Haaland starts new season in the spotlight

Haaland heads into the new campaign after another prolific year in front of goal. He finished as the Premier League’s top scorer last season for the third time in his career, scoring 27 goals and ending five clear of Igor Thiago in the standings.

His individual form, however, was not enough to carry Manchester City to the domestic title, with Arsenal finishing as champions. Haaland did maintain that level on the international stage, helping Norway reach the World Cup quarter-finals in the tournament staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

He also made a major impact in that run, finishing the competition with seven goals as Norway advanced to the last eight after knocking out Brazil in the round of 16.

Video call reactions from Ibrahimovic, Guardiola and Grealish

Haaland shared the makeover in vlog form on his YouTube channel, where the haircut was shown alongside video calls with Pep Guardiola, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and City team-mate Jack Grealish.

Guardiola, described in the source as the former Manchester City manager, was the most supportive of the group. He told Haaland the new look was fine and pointed out that hair grows back if the striker ends up regretting the decision.

Ibrahimovic’s response was far more animated. The former Sweden international reacted with disbelief, asking Haaland what he had done and joking that he should delete his number. He then softened the verdict with a punchline, telling the striker that at least he would now be quicker.

Grealish, meanwhile, burst into laughter when he saw his club colleague’s new appearance and joked that Haaland suddenly looked much younger.

City’s season already under way

Manchester City come into the Bournemouth game having already played once for silverware this season. Enzo Maresca’s side were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal in the Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

That match marked the Italian coach’s debut after replacing Guardiola, who had spent a decade in charge of City. The Bournemouth fixture now offers the first Premier League step of the new campaign, with Haaland once again certain to be central to the attention.

Whether the haircut proves to be a passing curiosity or the start of a fresh chapter in his image, it has already done one thing: ensured Haaland remains a headline figure before a ball is kicked in City’s league season.