Erling Haaland stunned fans by shaving off his signature long blonde hair for a military-style buzz cut ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Erling Haaland’s flowing blonde hair has been as much a part of his identity as his goalscoring ever since he burst onto the global stage. On Sunday, ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth, the Norwegian striker shocked fans everywhere by shaving it all off for a dramatic buzz cut.
How the Transformation Happened
Haaland teased the change first with a before-and-after video posted to social media, captioning it simply: “New season, new trim.” He followed up with a carousel of images documenting the entire process, adding the caption “Short hair don’t care.” Manchester City’s own social media account joined in on the reveal, posting: “New season, new hair.”
In a fuller YouTube vlog, Haaland walked fans through the moment in detail, revealing he’d actually been considering the chop for a while. “Time to let it go,” he said of his long hair. “I was thinking about doing it straight after the World Cup, but it was so busy, so I didn’t do it. Season starts now, so it’s time to get a fresh start and everything.” He requested a serious, military-style buzz cut, admitting he felt nervous going into it, with girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen on hand to witness the transformation. Her verdict afterward: “You look cute.”
Ignoring Zlatan’s Advice
Part of what made the reveal such a hit online was the reaction from Haaland’s friends and former teammates, whom he called one by one via video to surprise them with the new look. Before making those calls, Haaland admitted he’d been given very specific advice against cutting his hair. “Zlatan told me, never cut your hair, because your strength is in your hair,” Haaland said, referencing former Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimović. “I’m a bit nervous.”
Ibrahimović’s reaction to seeing the finished result didn’t disappoint. “What did you do? You lost a bet or what? Block me and erase my number,” he said, while separately asking, “You gonna be faster now, or what?”
Other reactions were just as memorable. City teammate Jack Grealish wasn’t impressed either, telling Haaland: “You look about 10 years old!” Oasis star Noel Gallagher reportedly laughed at the reveal, while former City manager Pep Guardiola offered a more good-natured response: “You’re lucky to have hair. I would love to have it!”
Fellow footballers also weighed in publicly. England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham simply wrote “no way,” while Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior offered a more approving “Nice.”
The End of an Iconic Look
Haaland’s long blonde hair had become one of the most recognizable features in world football, particularly amplified during Norway’s unexpected run to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. During that tournament, Haaland became something of a viral phenomenon well beyond football circles, with fans wearing Haaland wigs, sharing memes of his distinctive running style, and even holding a lookalike contest in Miami — one that would look considerably different now, given the new look.
Some fans have reacted with genuine concern about the timing of the change, with one commenting simply: “Erling what did you do.” Others have taken a more optimistic view, suggesting the haircut signals Haaland is entering a more serious, focused phase of his career — trading a look he’d become known for viral moments around, in favor of letting his on-field performance speak louder than his hairstyle.
A Season of Change at Manchester City
The timing of Haaland’s transformation lines up with a broader period of transition at Manchester City. This marks his first full season without Pep Guardiola in charge, following the legendary manager’s departure at the end of last season. Enzo Maresca has since taken over as City’s new head coach, though the early signs under the new regime have been rocky — City suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield just over a week before the new season kicked off.
Haaland arrived at the Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s match against Bournemouth wearing a cap, which was removed during warmups, giving fans their first live look at the finished buzz cut. As City look to bounce back from their Community Shield defeat and reclaim their Premier League crown, Haaland will remain the focal point of Maresca’s attack — now sporting a considerably different look than the one that made him a global phenomenon just weeks earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did Erling Haaland reveal his new haircut? Haaland revealed the transformation on social media on Sunday, August 23, 2026, ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League season opener against Bournemouth.
Q: What kind of haircut did Haaland get? He requested a military-style buzz cut, a dramatic change from his previously long, flowing blonde hair.
Q: How did Haaland’s friends and teammates react? Reactions were mixed. Jack Grealish told him he “looked about 10 years old,” Zlatan Ibrahimović jokingly said he’d lost a bet, and Pep Guardiola offered a lighthearted response about being envious of his hair, while Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior reacted publicly on social media.
Q: Why has Haaland’s hair been such a big deal? His long blonde hair became a signature part of his public image, especially during Norway’s viral run to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, when fans wore Haaland wigs and even held a lookalike contest.
Q: Is this Haaland’s first season without Pep Guardiola at Manchester City? Yes. Guardiola departed at the end of last season, and Enzo Maresca has taken over as City’s new head coach heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
